Influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants

ABSTRACT

Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/858,386, filed on Aug. 17, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/262,215, filed on Oct. 31, 2008, which is a division and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/368,246, filed on Mar. 6, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,459,162, which claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/659,832, filed on Mar. 8, 2005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety for all purposes.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

This application refers to a sequence listing, which is provided as an electronic document on each of two identical compact discs, labeled “Copy 1” and “Copy 2.” Each compact disk contains a 320,100 byte file entitled “FL2550US2_seqlist.txt,” created Mar. 6, 2006. This electronic sequence listing file is incorporated in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vaccines against various and evolving strains of influenza are important from a community health standpoint, as well as commercially, since each year numerous individuals are infected with different strains and types of influenza virus. Infants, the elderly, those without adequate health care and immuno-compromised persons are at special risk of death from such infections. Compounding the problem of influenza infections is that novel influenza strains evolve readily and can spread between various species, thereby necessitating the continuous production of new vaccines.

Numerous vaccines capable of producing a protective immune response specific for different influenza viruses/virus strains have been produced for over 50 years and include whole virus vaccines, split virus vaccines, surface antigen vaccines and live attenuated virus vaccines. However, while appropriate formulations of any of these vaccine types are capable of producing a systemic immune response, live attenuated virus vaccines have the advantage of also being able to stimulate local mucosal immunity in the respiratory tract. Considerable work in the production of influenza viruses, and fragments thereof, for production of vaccines has been done by the present inventors and co-workers; see, e.g., U.S. Application No. 60/420,708, filed Oct. 23, 2002, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/423,828, filed Apr. 25, 2003, and U.S. Application No. 60/574,117, filed May 24, 2004, all entitled “Multi-Plasmid System for the Production of Influenza Virus.”

Because of the continual emergence (or re-emergence) or different influenza strains, new influenza vaccines are continually desired. Such vaccines typically are created using antigenic moieties of the newly emergent virus strains so, therefore, polypeptides and polynucleotides of novel, newly emergent, or newly re-emergent virus strains (especially sequences of antigenic genes) are highly desirable. Furthermore, such sequences within preferred vectors are also quite highly desired.

The present invention provides new and/or newly isolated influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants, optionally within preferred vectors, that are capable of use in production of numerous types of vaccines as well as in research, diagnostics, etc. Numerous other benefits will become apparent upon review of the following

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some aspects herein, the invention comprises an isolated or recombinant polypeptide that is selected from: the polypeptides encoded by any one of the sequences of the sequence listing, e.g., SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:48, any one of the polypeptides encoded by the sequence listing, e.g., SEQ ID NO:49 through SEQ ID NO:96; any polypeptide that is encoded by a polynucleotide sequence which hybridizes under highly stringent conditions over substantially the entire length of a polynucleotide sequence of the sequence listing; and, a fragment of any of the above wherein the sequence comprises a hemagglutinin or neuraminidase polypeptide, or a fragment of a hemagglutinin or neuraminidase polypeptide. In various embodiments, the isolated or recombinant polypeptides of the invention are substantially identical to about 300 contiguous amino acid residues of any of the above polypeptides. In yet other embodiments, the invention comprises isolated or recombinant polypeptides (comprising hemagglutinin or neuraminidase or fragments of hemagglutinin or neuraminidase), that comprise an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical over at least about 350 amino acids; over at least about 400 amino acids; over at least about 450 amino acids; over at least about 500 amino acids; over at least about 502 amino acids; over at least about 550 amino acids; over at least about 559 amino acids; over at least about 565 amino acids; or over at least about 566 amino acids contiguous of any of the polypeptides of claim of any of the above polypeptides. In yet other embodiments, the invention comprises isolated or recombinant polypeptides (e.g., comprising neuraminidase, hemagglutinin or fragments of neuraminidase or hemagglutinin), that comprise an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical over at least about 350 amino acids; over at least about 400 amino acids; over at least about 436 amino acids; over at least about 450 amino acids; over at least about 451 amino acids; over at least about 465 amino acids; over at least about 466 amino acids; over at least about 469 amino acids; or over at least about 470 amino acids contiguous of any of the polypeptides of any of the above polypeptides. Of course, in some embodiments, the polypeptide sequence (e.g., as listed in the sequence listing herein, e.g., SEQ ID NO:49 through SEQ ID NO:96) comprises less than 565, 559, etc. amino acids. In such embodiments, the shorter listed polypeptides optionally comprise less than 565, 559, etc. amino acids. In yet other embodiments, the polypeptides of the invention optionally comprise fusion proteins, proteins with a leader sequence, a precursor polypeptide, proteins with a secretion signal or a localization signal, or proteins with an epitope tag, an E-tag, or a His epitope tag, etc. In still other embodiments, the invention comprises a polypeptide comprising a sequence having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 98.5%, at least 99%, at least 99.2%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.8%, or at least 99.9% sequence identity to at least one polypeptide listed above (e.g., of SEQ ID NO: 49-96). In some embodiments, such polypeptides are immunogenic. The HA sequences of the invention can comprise both those sequences with unmodified and those with modified polybasic cleavage sites.

In other aspects, the invention comprises a composition with one or more polypeptide listed above, or fragments thereof. The invention also includes polypeptides that are specifically bound by a polyclonal antisera raised against at least 1 antigen that comprises at least one amino acid sequence described above (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 49-96), or a fragment thereof. Such antibodies specific for the polypeptides described above are also features of the invention. The polypeptides of the invention are optionally immunogenic.

The invention also encompasses immunogenic compositions comprising an immunologically effective amount of one or more of any of the polypeptides described above as well as methods for stimulating the immune system of an individual to produce a protective immune response against influenza virus by administering to the individual an immunologically effective amount of any of the above polypeptides (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 49-96) in a physiologically acceptable carrier.

Additionally, the invention has reassortant influenza virus that encode one or more of the polypeptides above (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 49-96), in addition to immunogenic compositions comprising an immunologically effective amount of such recombinant influenza virus. Methods for stimulating the immune system of an individual to produce a protective immune response against influenza virus, through administering an immunologically effective amount of such recombinant influenza virus in a physiologically acceptable carrier are also part of the invention. Such virus can optionally comprise a 6:2 reassortant virus with 6 genes encoding regions from one or more donor virus (e.g. A/AA/6/60, B/Ann Arbor/1/66, A/Puerto Rico/8/34, which is more commonly known as PR8), B/Leningrad/14/17/55, B/14/5/1, B/USSR/60/69, B/Leningrad/179/86, B/Leningrad/14/55, or B/England/2608/76 and 2 gene encoding regions (typically and preferably encoding HA and NA or fragments thereof) selected from SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:48 or from similar strains, as defined herein, to those having SEQ ID NO:1-48, etc. Immunogenic compositions comprising such reassortant (recombinant) virus are also features of the invention.

In other aspects, the invention comprises an isolated or recombinant nucleic acid that is selected from: any one of the polynucleotide sequences of the sequence listing, e.g., SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:48 (or complementary sequences thereof), any one of the polynucleotide sequences encoding a polypeptide of the sequence listing, e.g., SEQ ID NO:49 through SEQ ID NO:96 (or complementary polynucleotide sequences thereof), a polynucleotide sequence which hybridizes under highly stringent conditions over substantially the entire length of any of the above polynucleotide sequences, and a polynucleotide sequence comprising all or a fragment of any of the above polynucleotide sequences wherein the sequence encodes a hemagglutinin or neuraminidase polypeptide or one or more HA or NA fragments. Such nucleic acids can be DNA, RNA, cRNA, DNA:RNA hybrids, single stranded nucleic acid, double stranded nucleic acid, etc. The invention also includes an isolated or recombinant nucleic acid (e.g., comprising hemagglutinin or fragments thereof), that encodes an amino acid sequence which is substantially identical over at least about 300 amino acids of any of the above nucleic acids, or over at least about 350 amino acids; over at least about 400 amino acids; over at least about 450 amino acids; over at least about 500 amino acids; over at least about 502 amino acids; over at least about 550 amino acids; over at least about 559 amino acids; over at least about 565 amino acids; or over at least about 566 amino acids of any of the above nucleic acids. In yet other embodiments, the invention comprises isolated or recombinant nucleic acids (e.g., comprising neuraminidase or fragments thereof), that encode an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical over at least about 350 amino acids; over at least about 400 amino acids; over at least about 436 amino acids; over at least about 450 amino acids; over at least about 451 amino acids; over at least about 465 amino acids; over at least about 466 amino acids; over at least about 469 amino acids; or over at least about 470 amino acids contiguous of any of the polypeptides above. Again, in situations wherein the amino acid is less than, e.g., 566, 565, 559, etc. in length (e.g., see, Sequence Listing in FIG. 1) then it should be understood that the length is optionally less than 566, 565, 559, etc. The invention also includes any of the above nucleic acids that comprise a hemagglutinin or neuraminidase polypeptide, or one or hemagglutinin or neuraminidase fragments. Other aspects of the invention include isolated or recombinant nucleic acids that encode a polypeptide (optionally a hemagglutinin or neuraminidase polypeptide) whose sequence has at least 95% identity, at least 96% identity, at least 97% identity, at least 98% identity, at least 98.5% identity, at least 99% identity, at least 99.2% identity, at least 99.4% identity, at least 99.6% identity, at least 99.8% identity, or at least 99.9% identity to at least one of the above described polynucleotide. The invention also includes isolated or recombinant nucleic acids encoding a polypeptide of hemagglutinin or neuraminidase produced by mutating or recombining one or more above described polynucleotide sequence. The polynucleotide sequences of the invention can optionally comprise one or more of, e.g., a leader sequence, a precursor sequence, or an epitope tag sequence or the like, and can optionally encode a fusion protein (e.g., with one or more additional nucleic acid sequences). Such nucleic acids of the invention can optionally encode immunogenic polypeptides.

In yet other embodiments, the invention comprises a composition of matter having two or more above described nucleic acids or fragments thereof (e.g., a library comprising at least about 2, 5, 10, 50 or more nucleic acids). Such compositions can optionally be produced by cleaving one or more above described nucleic acid (e.g., mechanically, chemically, enzymatically with a restriction endonuclease/RNAse/DNAse, etc.). Other compositions of the invention include, e.g., compositions produced by incubating one or more above described nucleic acid in the presence of deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates and a thermostable nucleic acid polymerase. Immunogenic compositions having an immunologically effective amount of any of the above nucleic acids are also within the current invention.

Also within the invention are reassortant influenza viruses comprising any of the above nucleic acids. Such reassortant viruses can (and preferably are) 6:2 reassortant viruses with 6 gene encoding regions from one or more donor virus (e.g., A/AA/6/60, B/AA/1/66 (also sometimes referred to herein as B/Ann Arbor/1/66), B/Leningrad/14/17/55, B/14/5/1, B/USSR/60/69, B/Leningrad/179/86, B/Leningrad/14/55, or B/England/2608/76 or A/Puerto Rico/8/34) and 2 gene encoding regions from two sequences above (e.g., from SEQ ID NO:1-48, from similar strains to those encoded in SEQ ID NO:1-48, etc.). Preferably, such two regions encode hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase. Immunogenic compositions with immunologically effective amounts of such reassortant/recombinant influenza virus are also within purview of the current invention.

Vectors comprising one or more nucleic acid from SEQ ID NO:1-48 (again, also from similar strains to those of the sequence identification numbers) or fragments thereof are also within the current invention. Such vectors (e.g., expression vectors) can optionally be plasmids, cosmids, phage, viruses, virus fragments, etc. Especially preferred embodiments comprise plasmid vectors useful in plasmid rescue methods to produce virus (e.g., typically reassortant/recombinant virus for use in vaccines). Such plasmid systems are exampled in, e.g., U.S. Application No. 60/420,708, filed Oct. 23, 2002, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/423,828, filed Apr. 25, 2003, and U.S. Application No. 60/574,117, filed May 24, 2004, all entitled “Multi-Plasmid System for the Production of Influenza Virus”; Hoffmann, E., 2000, PNAS, 97(11):6108-6113; U.S. Published Patent Application No. 20020164770 to Hoffmann; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,785 issued Apr. 8, 2003 to Palese, et al. Cells transduced, transformed, transfected, etc. with such vectors are also within the current invention.

The invention also encompasses cells comprising at least one above described nucleic acid, or a cleaved or amplified fragment or product thereof. Such cells can optionally express a polypeptide encoded by such nucleic acid. Other embodiments of the invention include vectors (e.g., plasmids, cosmids, phage, viruses, virus fragments, etc.) comprising any of above described nucleic acid. Such vectors can optionally comprise an expression vector. Cells transduced by such vectors are also within the current invention.

In some embodiments, the invention encompasses a virus (e.g., an influenza virus) comprising one or more above described nucleic acid (e.g., from SEQ ID NO:1-48 or from similar strains to such and optionally encoding hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase), or one or more fragments thereof. Typically, such viruses are reassortant/recombinant viruses. Immunogenic compositions comprising such virus are also part of the current invention. Such viruses can comprises a reassortant virus such as a 6:2 reassortment virus (which comprises 6 gene encoding regions from one or more donor virus (e.g., a master donor virus or a backbone virus such as A/AA/6/60, B/AA/1/66, A/Puerto Rico/8/34, B/Leningrad/14/17/55, B/14/5/1, B/USSR/60/69, B/Leningrad/179/86, B/Leningrad/14/55, or B/England/2608/76, etc.) and 2 gene encoding regions from one or more above described nucleotide sequence, or one or more fragment thereof which can optionally comprise hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase). Other reassortant/recombinant viruses can comprise 7:1 reassortments. Reassortment viruses (optionally live viruses) of the invention can include donor viruses that are one or more of, e.g., temperature-sensitive (ts), cold-adapted (ca), or attenuated (att). For example, reassortment viruses can comprise, e.g., A/Ann Arbor/6/60, B/Ann Arbor/1/66, A/Puerto Rico/8/34, B/Leningrad/14/17/55, B/14/5/1, B/USSR/60/69, B/Leningrad/179/86, B/Leningrad/14/55, or B/England/2608/76, etc. In many embodiments, the produced viruses are live viruses (e.g., to be used in vaccines, etc.). Other embodiments include dead or inactivated viruses (e.g., also capable of use in vaccines, etc.). Cells comprising any of the above viruses are also products of the invention.

Methods of producing reassortant/recombinant influenza virus through culturing a host cell harboring an influenza virus in a suitable culture medium under conditions permitting expression of nucleic acid; and, isolating or recovering the recombinant influenza virus from one or more of the host cell or the medium are also part of the invention. Thus, introducing a plurality of vectors having an influenza virus genome into a population of host cells wherein the vectors comprise at least 6 internal genome segments of a first influenza strain (again, e.g., A/AA/6/60, B/AA/1/66, A/PR/8/34, B/Leningrad/14/17/55, B/14/5/1, B/USSR/60/69, B/Leningrad/179/86, B/Leningrad/14/55, or B/England/2608/76, etc.) and at least one (and preferably two) genome segments are selected from a second influenza strain (e.g., preferably one or more nucleic acid as described above, e.g., from SEQ ID NO:1-48 or from a similar strain to such or optionally comprising a hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase, etc.). is a feature of the invention. Preferably, the first strain of virus is cold-adapted and/or temperature sensitive and/or attenuated. Also preferably, such viruses are suitable for administration as part of an intranasal vaccine formulation. Of course, other embodiments are suitable for administration as killed or inactivated vaccine formulations, live/attenuated non-nasal vaccine formulations, etc. The vectors in such methods can comprise influenza A viruses and/or influenza B viruses. Host cells for such methods can optionally comprise, e.g., Vero cells, PER.C6 cells (deposited under ECACC No. 96022940), MDCK cells, 293T cells, COS cells, etc. Typical embodiments do not comprise helper viruses in the method and yet other typical embodiments comprise eight plasmid vectors to contain the influenza genome.

In other embodiments herein, the invention comprises immunogenic compositions having an immunologically effective amount of the above described recombinant influenza virus (e.g., a live virus). Other embodiments include methods for stimulating the immune system of an individual to produce a protective immune response against influenza virus by administering to the individual an immunologically effective amount of the recombinant influenza virus of described above (optionally in a physiologically effective carrier).

Other aspects of the invention include methods of producing an isolated or recombinant polypeptide by culturing any host cell above, in a suitable culture medium under conditions permitting expression of nucleic acid and, isolating the polypeptide from one or more of the host cell or the medium in which it is grown.

Immunogenic compositions are also features of the invention. For example, immunogenic compositions comprising one or more of the polypeptides and/or nucleic acids described above (e.g., a sequence from SEQ ID NO:1-96 or from similar strains to such, etc.) and, optionally, an excipient such as a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or one or more pharmaceutically acceptable administration component. Immunogenic compositions of the invention can also comprise one or more above described virus as well (e.g., along with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable administration component).

Methods of producing an influenza virus vaccine are also included in the invention. For example, the invention includes introducing a plurality of vectors (e.g., plasmid vectors) comprising an influenza genome (e.g., influenza A or B) into a population of host cells that is capable of supporting replication of such virus, culturing the cells, recovering a plurality of influenza viruses and providing one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient with such virus to an individual (e.g., one in need of such treatment). Such viruses can optionally be cold-adapted and/or temperature sensitive and/or attenuated and preferably are suitable for administration in an intranasal vaccine formulation. Such methods can include wherein the vectors have at least 6 internal genome segments of a first influenza strain and at least one genome segment (and preferably 2 segments) from another influenza strain (e.g., with sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:1-48 or from similar strains to such, etc.) which segment optionally codes for an immunogenic influenza surface antigen of the second influenza strain.

Methods of producing immunogenic responses in a subject through administration of an effective amount of any of the above viruses to a subject are also within the current invention. Additionally, methods of prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a viral infection (e.g., viral influenza) in a subject through administration of one or more above described virus in an amount effective to produce an immunogenic response against the viral infection are also part of the current invention. Subjects for such treatment can include mammals (e.g., humans). Such methods can also comprise in vivo administration to the subject as well as in vitro or ex vivo administration to one or more cells of the subject. Additionally, such methods can also comprise administration of a composition of the virus and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient that is administered to the subject in an amount effect to prophylactically or therapeutically treat the viral infection.

The invention also comprises compositions of matter having one or more sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:48, and a selected master donor virus, typically wherein the selected sequence and the master donor virus comprise a 6:2 reassortment, i.e., the HA and NA herein reassorted with the other six influenza genes from the donor virus. Such donor viruses are typically ca, att, ts influenza strains. For example, typically donor strains can include, e.g., A/Ann Arbor/6/60, B/Ann Arbor/1/66, A/Puerto Rico/8/34, B/Leningrad/14/17/55, B/14/5/1, B/USSR/60/69, B/Leningrad/179/86, B/Leningrad/14/55, or B/England/2608/76 and variants thereof. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that typically donor strains can vary from reassortant to reassortant. Thus, those variations are also encompassed within the current invention. Another element of the invention comprises one or more live attenuated influenza vaccine comprising such compositions, e.g., those having sequences herein reassorted in a 6:2 manner with a selected master donor virus.

Other aspects of the invention include, compositions of matter comprising a hemagglutinin polynucleotide and/or a neuraminidase polynucleotide reassorted with one or more master donor virus, again typically a ca, att, ts influenza virus, wherein the polynucleotide comprises a same virus strain as one or more virus strain of SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:48. Such hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase polynucleotide is typically determined to be “within the same strain” when it produces a titer that is within a four-fold range of another virus (e.g., ones having the sequences listed herein) as measured by a hemagglutinin inhibition assay. As described below, however, other common assays can also be utilized to determine whether polynucleotides (i.e., viruses comprising such) are within the same strain.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more fully apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying figures and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 displays the Sequence Listing of variant hemagglutinin and neuraminidase nucleic acids and polypeptides of the invention.

FIG. 2 displays an alternative organization of variant hemagglutinin and neuraminidase sequences as found in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention includes polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences of influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase as well as vectors, viruses, vaccines, compositions and the like comprising such sequences and methods of their use. Additional features of the invention are described in more detail herein.

Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. The following definitions supplement those in the art and are directed to the current application and are not necessarily to be imputed to any related or unrelated case, e.g., to any commonly owned patent or application. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice for testing of the present invention, the preferred materials and methods are described herein. Accordingly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. Additional terms are defined and described throughout.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a virus” includes a plurality of viruses; reference to a “host cell” includes mixtures of host cells, and the like.

The terms “nucleic acid,” “polynucleotide,” “polynucleotide sequence,” and “nucleic acid sequence” refer to single-stranded or double-stranded deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotide polymers, chimeras or analogues thereof, or a character string representing such, depending on context. As used herein, the term optionally includes polymers of analogs of naturally occurring nucleotides having the essential nature of natural nucleotides in that they hybridize to single-stranded nucleic acids in a manner similar to naturally occurring nucleotides (e.g., peptide nucleic acids). Unless otherwise indicated, a particular nucleic acid sequence of this invention optionally encompasses complementary sequences in addition to the sequence explicitly indicated. From any specified polynucleotide sequence, either the given nucleic acid or the complementary polynucleotide sequence (e.g., the complementary nucleic acid) can be determined.

The term “nucleic acid” or “polynucleotide” also encompasses any physical string of monomer units that can be corresponded to a string of nucleotides, including a polymer of nucleotides (e.g., a typical DNA or RNA polymer), PNAs, modified oligonucleotides (e.g., oligonucleotides comprising bases that are not typical to biological RNA or DNA in solution, such as 2′-O-methylated oligonucleotides), and the like. A nucleic acid can be e.g., single-stranded or double-stranded.

A “subsequence” is any portion of an entire sequence, up to and including the complete sequence. Typically, a subsequence comprises less than the full-length sequence. A “unique subsequence” is a subsequence that is not found in any previously determined influenza polynucleotide or polypeptide sequence The phrase “substantially identical,” in the context of two nucleic acids or polypeptides (e.g., DNAs encoding a HA or NA molecule, or the amino acid sequence of a HA or NA molecule) refers to two or more sequences or subsequences that have at least about 90%, preferably 91%, most preferably 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 98.5%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9% or more nucleotide or amino acid residue identity, when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence, as measured using a sequence comparison algorithm or by visual inspection.

The term “variant” with respect to a polypeptide refers to an amino acid sequence that is altered by one or more amino acids with respect to a reference sequence. The variant can have “conservative” changes, wherein a substituted amino acid has similar structural or chemical properties, e.g., replacement of leucine with isoleucine. Alternatively, a variant can have “nonconservative” changes, e.g., replacement of a glycine with a tryptophan. Analogous minor variation can also include amino acid deletion or insertion, or both. Guidance in determining which amino acid residues can be substituted, inserted, or deleted without eliminating biological or immunological activity can be found using computer programs well known in the art, for example, DNASTAR software. Examples of conservative substitutions are also described herein.

The term “gene” is used broadly to refer to any nucleic acid associated with a biological function. Thus, genes include coding sequences and/or the regulatory sequences required for their expression. The term “gene” applies to a specific genomic sequence, as well as to a cDNA or an mRNA encoded by that genomic sequence.

The “neuraminidase” polypeptides of the invention show immunological cross reactivity with one or more known neuraminidase molecule from an influenza virus. The literature is replete with examples of such known neuraminidases (e.g., in GenBank, in publications from the CDC, etc.). Similarly, the “hemagglutinin” polypeptides of the invention show immunological cross-reactivity with one or more known hemagglutinin molecule from an influenza virus. Again, the literature is replete with examples of such known hemagglutinin molecules.

Genes also include non-expressed nucleic acid segments that, for example, form recognition sequences for other proteins. Non-expressed regulatory sequences include “promoters” and “enhancers,” to which regulatory proteins such as transcription factors bind, resulting in transcription of adjacent or nearby sequences. A “tissue specific” promoter or enhancer is one that regulates transcription in a specific tissue type or cell type, or types.

“Expression of a gene” or “expression of a nucleic acid” typically means transcription of DNA into RNA (optionally including modification of the RNA, e.g., splicing) or transcription of RNA into mRNA, translation of RNA into a polypeptide (possibly including subsequent modification of the polypeptide, e.g., post-translational modification), or both transcription and translation, as indicated by the context.

An “open reading frame” or “ORF” is a possible translational reading frame of DNA or RNA (e.g., of a gene), which is capable of being translated into a polypeptide. That is, the reading frame is not interrupted by stop codons. However, it should be noted that the term ORF does not necessarily indicate that the polynucleotide is, in fact, translated into a polypeptide.

The term “vector” refers to the means by which a nucleic acid can be propagated and/or transferred between organisms, cells, or cellular components. Vectors include plasmids, viruses, bacteriophages, pro-viruses, phagemids, transposons, artificial chromosomes, and the like, that replicate autonomously or can integrate into a chromosome of a host cell. A vector can also be a naked RNA polynucleotide, a naked DNA polynucleotide, a polynucleotide composed of both DNA and RNA within the same strand, a poly-lysine-conjugated DNA or RNA, a peptide-conjugated DNA or RNA, a liposome-conjugated DNA, or the like, that is not autonomously replicating. In many, but not all, common embodiments, the vectors of the present invention are plasmids.

An “expression vector” is a vector, such as a plasmid that is capable of promoting expression, as well as replication of a nucleic acid incorporated therein. Typically, the nucleic acid to be expressed is “operably linked” to a promoter and/or enhancer, and is subject to transcription regulatory control by the promoter and/or enhancer.

A “bi-directional expression vector” is characterized by two alternative promoters oriented in the opposite direction relative to a nucleic acid situated between the two promoters, such that expression can be initiated in both orientations resulting in, e.g., transcription of both plus (+) or sense strand, and negative (−) or antisense strand RNAs.

An “amino acid sequence” is a polymer of amino acid residues (a protein, polypeptide, etc.) or a character string representing an amino acid polymer, depending on context.

A “polypeptide” is a polymer comprising two or more amino acid residues (e.g., a peptide or a protein). The polymer can optionally comprise modifications such as glycosylation or the like. The amino acid residues of the polypeptide can be natural or non-natural and can be unsubstituted, unmodified, substituted or modified.

In the context of the invention, the term “isolated” refers to a biological material, such as a virus, a nucleic acid or a protein, which is substantially free from components that normally accompany or interact with it in its naturally occurring environment. The isolated biological material optionally comprises additional material not found with the biological material in its natural environment, e.g., a cell or wild-type virus. For example, if the material is in its natural environment, such as a cell, the material can have been placed at a location in the cell (e.g., genome or genetic element) not native to such material found in that environment. For example, a naturally occurring nucleic acid (e.g., a coding sequence, a promoter, an enhancer, etc.) becomes isolated if it is introduced by non-naturally occurring means to a locus of the genome (e.g., a vector, such as a plasmid or virus vector, or amplicon) not native to that nucleic acid. Such nucleic acids are also referred to as “heterologous” nucleic acids. An isolated virus, for example, is in an environment (e.g., a cell culture system, or purified from cell culture) other than the native environment of wild-type virus (e.g., the nasopharynx of an infected individual).

The term “chimeric” or “chimera,” when referring to a virus, indicates that the virus includes genetic and/or polypeptide components derived from more than one parental viral strain or source. Similarly, the term “chimeric” or “chimera,” when referring to a viral protein, indicates that the protein includes polypeptide components (i.e., amino acid subsequences) derived from more than one parental viral strain or source. As will be apparent herein, such chimeric viruses are typically reassortant/recombinant viruses. Thus, in some embodiments, a chimera can optionally include, e.g., a sequence (e.g., of HA and/or NA) from an A influenza virus placed into a backbone comprised of, or constructed/derived from a B influenza virus (e.g., B/AA/1/66, etc.) or a B influenza virus sequence placed into an A influenza virus backbone (i.e., donor virus) such as, e.g., A/AA/6/60, etc.

The term “recombinant” indicates that the material (e.g., a nucleic acid or protein) has been artificially or synthetically (non-naturally) altered by human intervention. The alteration can be performed on the material within, or removed from, its natural environment or state. Specifically, e.g., an influenza virus is recombinant when it is produced by the expression of a recombinant nucleic acid. For example, a “recombinant nucleic acid” is one that is made by recombining nucleic acids, e.g., during cloning, DNA shuffling or other procedures, or by chemical or other mutagenesis; a “recombinant polypeptide” or “recombinant protein” is a polypeptide or protein which is produced by expression of a recombinant nucleic acid; and a “recombinant virus,” e.g., a recombinant influenza virus, is produced by the expression of a recombinant nucleic acid.

The term “reassortant,” when referring to a virus (typically herein, an influenza virus), indicates that the virus includes genetic and/or polypeptide components derived from more than one parental viral strain or source. For example, a 7:1 reassortant includes 7 viral genomic segments (or gene segments) derived from a first parental virus, and a single complementary viral genomic segment, e.g., encoding a hemagglutinin or neuraminidase such as those listed in the SEQ ID Tables herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 1-96). A 6:2 reassortant includes 6 genomic segments, most commonly the 6 internal genes from a first parental virus, and two complementary segments, e.g., hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, from one or more different parental virus. Reassortant viruses can also, depending upon context herein, be termed as “chimeric” and/or “recombinant.”

The term “introduced” when referring to a heterologous or isolated nucleic acid refers to the incorporation of a nucleic acid into a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell where the nucleic acid can be incorporated into the genome of the cell (e.g., chromosome, plasmid, plastid or mitochondrial DNA), converted into an autonomous replicon, or transiently expressed (e.g., transfected mRNA). The term includes such methods as “infection,” “transfection,” “transformation,” and “transduction.” In the context of the invention a variety of methods can be employed to introduce nucleic acids into cells, including electroporation, calcium phosphate precipitation, lipid mediated transfection (lipofection), etc.

The term “host cell” means a cell that contains a heterologous nucleic acid, such as a vector or a virus, and supports the replication and/or expression of the nucleic acid. Host cells can be prokaryotic cells such as E. coli, or eukaryotic cells such as yeast, insect, amphibian, avian or mammalian cells, including human cells. Exemplary host cells can include, e.g., Vero (African green monkey kidney) cells, BHK (baby hamster kidney) cells, primary chick kidney (PCK) cells, Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells, Madin-Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cells, 293 cells (e.g., 293T cells), and COS cells (e.g., COS1, COS7 cells), etc. In other embodiments, host cells can optionally include eggs (e.g., hen eggs, embryonated hen eggs, etc.).

An “immunologically effective amount” of influenza virus is an amount sufficient to enhance an individual's (e.g., a human's) own immune response against a subsequent exposure to influenza virus. Levels of induced immunity can be monitored, e.g., by measuring amounts of neutralizing secretory and/or serum antibodies, e.g., by plaque neutralization, complement fixation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, or microneutralization assay.

A “protective immune response” against influenza virus refers to an immune response exhibited by an individual (e.g., a human) that is protective against disease when the individual is subsequently exposed to and/or infected with wild-type influenza virus. In some instances, the wild-type (e.g., naturally circulating) influenza virus can still cause infection, but it cannot cause a serious or life-threatening infection. Typically, the protective immune response results in detectable levels of host engendered serum and secretory antibodies that are capable of neutralizing virus of the same strain and/or subgroup (and possibly also of a different, non-vaccine strain and/or subgroup) in vitro and in vivo.

As used herein, an “antibody” is a protein comprising one or more polypeptides substantially or partially encoded by immunoglobulin genes or fragments of immunoglobulin genes. The recognized immunoglobulin genes include the kappa, lambda, alpha, gamma, delta, epsilon and mu constant region genes, as well as myriad immunoglobulin variable region genes. Light chains are classified as either kappa or lambda. Heavy chains are classified as gamma, mu, alpha, delta, or epsilon, which in turn define the immunoglobulin classes, IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE, respectively. A typical immunoglobulin (antibody) structural unit comprises a tetramer. Each tetramer is composed of two identical pairs of polypeptide chains, each pair having one “light” (about 25 kD) and one “heavy” chain (about 50-70 kD). The N-terminus of each chain defines a variable region of about 100 to 110 or more amino acids primarily responsible for antigen recognition. The terms variable light chain (VL) and variable heavy chain (VH) refer to these light and heavy chains respectively. Antibodies exist as intact immunoglobulins or as a number of well-characterized fragments produced by digestion with various peptidases. Thus, for example, pepsin digests an antibody below the disulfide linkages in the hinge region to produce F(ab)′2, a dimer of Fab which itself is a light chain joined to VH-CH1 by a disulfide bond. The F(ab)′2 may be reduced under mild conditions to break the disulfide linkage in the hinge region thereby converting the (Fab′)2 dimer into a Fab′ monomer. The Fab′ monomer is essentially a Fab with part of the hinge region (see Fundamental Immunology, W. E. Paul, ed., Raven Press, N.Y. (1999) for a more detailed description of other antibody fragments). While various antibody fragments are defined in terms of the digestion of an intact antibody, one of skill will appreciate that such Fab′ fragments may be synthesized de novo either chemically or by utilizing recombinant DNA methodology. Thus, the term antibody, as used herein, includes antibodies or fragments either produced by the modification of whole antibodies or synthesized de novo using recombinant DNA methodologies. Antibodies include, e.g., polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, multiple or single chain antibodies, including single chain Fv (sFv or scFv) antibodies in which a variable heavy and a variable light chain are joined together (directly or through a peptide linker) to form a continuous polypeptide, and humanized or chimeric antibodies.

Influenza Virus

The polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention are variants of influenza HA and/or NA sequences. See, e.g., the Sequence Listing in FIGS. 1 and 2 below. In general, influenza viruses are made up of an internal ribonucleoprotein core containing a segmented single-stranded RNA genome and an outer lipoprotein envelope lined by a matrix protein. The genome of influenza viruses is composed of eight segments of linear (−) strand ribonucleic acid (RNA), encoding the immunogenic hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins, and six internal core polypeptides: the nucleocapsid nucleoprotein (NP); matrix proteins (M); non-structural proteins (NS); and 3 RNA polymerase (PA, PB1, PB2) proteins. During replication, the genomic viral RNA is transcribed into (+) strand messenger RNA and (−) strand genomic cRNA in the nucleus of the host cell. Each of the eight genomic segments is packaged into ribonucleoprotein complexes that contain, in addition to the RNA, NP and a polymerase complex (PB1, PB2, and PA). The hemagglutinin molecule consists of a surface glycoprotein and acts to bind to N-AcetylNeuraminic acid (NeuNAc), also known as sialic acid, on host cell surface receptors. In some embodiments herein, the polypeptides of the invention (and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides of the invention) can act to bind NeuNAc whether in vitro or in vivo. Such action can in some embodiments also be done by fragments of hemagglutinin which retain hemagglutinin activity. Hemagglutinin is made up of two subunits, HA1 and HA2 and the entire structure is about 550 amino acids in length and about 220 kD. Neuraminidase molecules cleave terminal sialic acid residues from cell surface receptors of influenza virus, thereby releasing virions from infected cells. Neuraminidase also removes sialic acid from newly made hemagglutinin and neuraminidase molecules. In some embodiments herein, the polypeptides of the invention (and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides of the invention) can act to cleave sialic acid residues whether in vitro or in vivo. This action can also be done in some embodiments by fragments of neuraminidase which retain neuraminidase activity. The neuraminidase polypeptides of the invention show immunological cross reactivity with one or more known neuraminidase molecule from an influenza virus. The literature is replete with examples of such known neuraminidases (e.g., in GenBank, in publications from the CDC, etc.). Similarly, the hemagglutinin polypeptides of the invention show immunological cross-reactivity with one or more known hemagglutinin molecule from an influenza virus. Again, the literature is replete with examples of such known hemagglutinin molecules.

Influenza is commonly grouped into influenza A and influenza B categories, as well as a typically less important C category. Influenza A and influenza B viruses each contain eight segments of single stranded RNA with negative polarity. The influenza A genome encodes eleven polypeptides. Segments 1-3 encode three polypeptides, making up a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Segment 1 encodes the polymerase complex protein PB2. The remaining polymerase proteins PB1 and PA are encoded by segment 2 and segment 3, respectively. In addition, segment 1 of some influenza strains encodes a small protein, PB1-F2, produced from an alternative reading frame within the PB1 coding region. Segment 4 encodes the hemagglutinin (HA) surface glycoprotein involved in cell attachment and entry during infection. Segment 5 encodes the nucleocapsid nucleoprotein (NP) polypeptide, the major structural component associated with viral RNA. Segment 6 encodes a neuraminidase (NA) envelope glycoprotein. Segment 7 encodes two matrix proteins, designated M1 and M2, which are translated from differentially spliced mRNAs. Segment 8 encodes NS1 and NS2, two nonstructural proteins, which are translated from alternatively spliced mRNA variants. The eight genome segments of influenza B encode 11 proteins. The three largest genes code for components of the RNA polymerase, PB1, PB2 and PA. Segment 4 encodes the HA protein. Segment 5 encodes NP. Segment 6 encodes the NA protein and the NB protein. Both proteins, NB and NA, are translated from overlapping reading frames of a bicistronic mRNA. Segment 7 of influenza B also encodes two proteins: M1 and BM2. The smallest segment encodes two products: NS1 is translated from the full length RNA, while NS2 is translated from a spliced mRNA variant.

Influenza types A and B are typically associated with influenza outbreaks in human populations. However, type A influenza also infects other creatures as well, e.g., birds, pigs, and other animals. The type A viruses are categorized into subtypes based upon differences within their hemagglutinin and neuraminidase surface glycoprotein antigens. Hemagglutinin in type A viruses has 14 known subtypes and neuraminidase has 9 known subtypes. In humans, currently only about 3 different hemagglutinin and 2 different neuraminidase subtypes are known, e.g., H1, H2, H3, N1, and N2. In particular, two major subtypes of influenza A have been active in humans, namely, H1N1 and H3N2. H1N2, however has recently been of concern. Influenza B viruses are not divided into subtypes based upon their hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins. As will be appreciated, the sequences contained within the sequence listing in FIG. 1 comprise a number of different subtypes of influenza. Thus, for example in the sequence listing A-H3N2 strains are exampled by ca A/Shandong/9/93, ca A/Johannesburg/33/94-like, ca A/Wuhan/395/95, ca A/Sydney/05/97, ca A/Panama/2007/99, ca A/Wyoming/03/2003. A-H1N1 strains are shown in ca A/Texas/36/91, ca A/Shenzhen/227/95, ca A/Beijing/262/95, and ca A/New Calcdonia/20/99, while B-HANA strains include ca B/Ann Arbor/1/94, ca B/Yamanashi/166/98, ca B/Johannesburg/5/99, ca B/Victoria/504/2000, ca B/Hong Kong/330/2001, ca B/Brisbane/32/2002, and ca Bailin/20/2003, etc. The Figures also show the subtypes of the other specific strains as well. As can be seen from the Figures several sequences are A/Fujian-like strains (e.g., ca A/Wellington/01/2004 (for classical reassorted), ca A/Malaysia/1/2004_(—)1 (186G, 193R in HA) (for plasmid-derived, ca A/Malaysia/1/2004_(—)2 (186V, 193S in HA) (for both plasmid-derived and classical reassorted). Other sequences are ca B/Shanghai-like strains (e.g., ca B/Jiangshu/10/2003 (for both classical reassorted and plasmid-derived), ca B/Shanghai/361/2002 (for plasmid-derived).

Different strains of influenza can be categorized based upon, e.g., the ability of influenza to agglutinate red blood cells (RBCS or erythrocytes). Antibodies specific for particular influenza strains can bind to the virus and, thus, prevent such agglutination. Assays determining strain types based on such inhibition are typically known as hemagglutinin inhibition assays (HI assays or HAI assays) and are standard and well known methods in the art to characterize influenza strains. Of course, those of skill in the art will be familiar with other assays, e.g., ELISA, indirect fluorescent antibody assays, immunohistochemistry, Western blot assays, etc. with which to characterize influenza strains and the use of and discussion herein of HI assays should not be necessarily construed as limiting.

Briefly, in typical HI assays, sera to be used for typing or categorization, which is often produced in ferrets, is added to erythrocyte samples in various dilutions, e.g., 2-fold, etc. Optical determination is then made whether the erythrocytes are clumped together (i.e., agglutinated) or are suspended (i.e., non-agglutinated). If the cells are not clumped, then agglutination did not occur due to the inhibition from antibodies in the sera that are specific for that influenza. Thus, the types of influenza are defined as being within the same strain. In some cases, one strain is described as being “like” the other, e.g., strain x is a “y-like” strain, etc. For example, if two samples are within four-fold titer of one another as measured by an HI assay, then they can be described as belonging to the same strain (e.g., both belonging to the “New Calcdonia” strain or both being “Moscow-like” strains, etc.). In other words, strains are typically categorized based upon their immunologic or antigenic profile. An HAI titer is typically defined as the highest dilution of a serum that completely inhibits hemagglutination. See, e.g., Schild, et al., Bull. Wld Hlth Org., 1973, 48:269-278, etc. Again, those of skill in the art will be quite familiar with categorization and classification of influenza into strains and the methods to do so.

From the above it will be appreciated that the current invention not only comprises the specific sequences listed herein, but also such sequences within various vectors (e.g., ones used for plasmid reassortment and rescue, see below) as well as hemagglutinin and neuraminidase sequences within the same strains as the sequences listed herein. Also, such same strains that are within various vectors (e.g., typically ones used for plasmid reassortment and rescue such as A/Ann Arbor/6/60 or B/Ann Arbor/1/66, A/Puerto Rico/8/34, B/Leningrad/14/17/55, B/14/5/1, B/USSR/60/69, B/Leningrad/179/86, B/Leningrad/14/55, or B/England/2608/76, etc.) are also included.

As used herein, the term “similar strain” should be taken to indicate that a first influenza virus is of the same or related strain as a second influenza virus. In typical embodiments such relation is commonly determined through use of an HAI assay. Influenza viruses that fall within a four-fold titer of one another in an HAI assay are, thus, of a “similar strain.” Those of skill in the art, however, will be familiar with other assays, etc. to determine similar strains, e.g., FRID, neutralization assays, etc. The current invention also comprises such similar strains (i.e., strains similar to the ones present in the sequence listing herein) in the various plasmids, vectors, viruses, methods, etc. herein. Thus, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, descriptions herein of particular sequences (e.g., those in the sequence listing) or fragments thereof also should be considered to include sequences from similar strains to those (i.e., similar strains to those strains having the sequences in those plasmids, vectors, viruses, etc. herein). Also, it will be appreciated that the NA and HA polypeptides within such similar strains are, thus, “similar polypeptides” when compared between “similar strains.”

Influenza Virus Vaccines

The sequences, compositions and methods herein are primarily, but not solely, concerned with production of influenza viruses for vaccines. Historically, influenza virus vaccines have primarily been produced in embryonated hen eggs using strains of virus selected or based on empirical predictions of relevant strains. More recently, reassortant viruses have been produced that incorporate selected hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase antigens in the context of an approved attenuated, temperature sensitive master strain. Following culture of the virus through multiple passages in hen eggs, influenza viruses are recovered and, optionally, inactivated, e.g., using formaldehyde and/or β-propiolactone (or alternatively used in live attenuated vaccines). Thus, it will be appreciated that HA and NA sequences (as in the current invention) are quite useful in constructing influenza vaccines.

Attempts at producing recombinant and reassortant vaccines in cell culture have been hampered by the inability of some of the strains approved for vaccine production to grow efficiently under standard cell culture conditions. However, prior work by the inventors and their coworkers provided a vector system, and methods for producing recombinant and reassortant viruses in culture, thus, making it possible to rapidly produce vaccines corresponding to one or many selected antigenic strains of virus, e.g., either A or B strains, various subtypes or substrains, etc., e.g., comprising the HA and NA sequences herein. See, U.S. Application No. 60/420,708, filed Oct. 23, 2002, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/423,828, filed Apr. 25, 2003, and U.S. Application No. 60/574,117, filed May 24, 2004, all entitled “Multi-Plasmid System for the Production of Influenza Virus.” Typically, the cultures are maintained in a system, such as a cell culture incubator, under controlled humidity and CO₂, at constant temperature using a temperature regulator, such as a thermostat to insure that the temperature does not exceed 35° C. Reassortant influenza viruses can be readily obtained by introducing a subset of vectors corresponding to genomic segments of a master influenza virus, in combination with complementary segments derived from strains of interest (e.g., HA and NA antigenic variants herein). Typically, the master strains are selected on the basis of desirable properties relevant to vaccine administration. For example, for vaccine production, e.g., for production of a live attenuated vaccine, the master donor virus strain may be selected for an attenuated phenotype, cold adaptation and/or temperature sensitivity. As explained elsewhere herein and, e.g., in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/423,828, etc., various embodiments of the invention utilize A/Ann Arbor (AA)/6/60 or B/Ann Arbor/1/66 or A/Puerto Rico/8/34, or B/Leningrad/14/17/55, B/14/5/1, B/USSR/60/69, B/Leningrad/179/86, B/Leningrad/14/55, or B/England/2608/76 influenza strain as a “backbone” upon which to add HA and/or NA genes (e.g., such as those sequences listed herein, etc.) to create desired reassortant viruses. Thus, for example, in a 6:2 reassortant, 2 genes (i.e., NA and HA) would be from the influenza strain(s) against which an immunogenic reaction is desired, while the other 6 genes would be from the Ann Arbor strain, or other backbone strain, etc. The Ann Arbor virus is useful for its cold adapted, attenuated, temperature sensitive attributes. Of course, it will be appreciated that the HA and NA sequences herein are capable of reassortment with a number of other virus genes or virus types (e.g., a number of different “backbones” such as A/Puerto Rico/8/34, etc., containing the other influenza genes present in a reassortant, namely, the non-HA and non-NA genes). Live, attenuated influenza A virus vaccines against human influenza viruses were recently licensed in the United States. See above. Such vaccines are reassortant H1N1 and H1N2 viruses in which the internal protein genes of A/Ann Arbor (AA)/6/60 (H2N2) cold adapted (ca) virus confer the cold adapted, attenuation and temperature sensitive phenotypes of the AA ca virus on the reassortant viruses (i.e., the ones having the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes from the non-Ann Arbor strain). In some embodiments herein, the reassortants can also comprise 7:1 reassortants. In other words, only the HA or the NA is not from the backbone or MDV strain. Previous work has been reported with suitable backbone donor virus strains that optionally are within various embodiments of the current invention. See, e.g., U.S. Application No. 60/420,708, filed Oct. 23, 2002, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/423,828, filed Apr. 25, 2003, and U.S. Application No. 60/574,117, filed May 25, 2004, all entitled “Multi-Plasmid System for the Production of Influenza Virus”; Maassab et al., J. of Inf. Dis., 1982, 146:780-790; Cox, et al., Virology, 1988, 167:554-567; Wareing et al., Vaccine, 2001, 19:3320-3330; Clements, et al., J Infect Dis., 1990, 161(5):869-77, etc.

In some embodiments, the sequences herein can optionally have specific regions removed (both or either in the nucleic acid sequence or the amino acid sequence). For example, for those molecules having a polybasic cleavage site, such sites can optionally be removed. Such cleavage sites, in some embodiments herein, are, e.g., modified or altered in their sequences in comparison to the wild-type sequences from which such sequences are derived (e.g., to disable the cleavage or reduce the cleavage there, etc.). Such modifications/alterations can be different in different strains or sequences due to the various sequences of the cleavage sites in the starting sequences. For example, 4 polybasic residues (RRKK) are typically removed in some HA sequences. (as compared to wt). In various embodiments, such polybasic cleavage sites can be modified in a number of ways (all of which are contained within the invention). For example, the polybasic cleavage site can be removed one amino acid at a time (e.g., one R removed, two Rs removed, RRK removed, or RRKK removed). Additionally, an amino acid residue directly upstream of the cleavage site can also be removed or altered (e.g., from an R to a T, etc.); also, the nucleotides encoding the amino acid residue directly after the cleavage site can also be modified. Those of skill in the art will be familiar with various methods of removing such specific regions. The resulting shortened sequences are also contained within the current invention. See, e.g., Li et al., J. of Infectious Diseases, 179:1132-8, 1999

The terms “temperature sensitive,” “cold adapted” and “attenuated” as applied to viruses (typically used as vaccines or for vaccine production) which optionally encompass the current sequences, are well known in the art. For example, the term “temperature sensitive” (ts) indicates, e.g., that the virus exhibits a 100 fold or greater reduction in titer at 39° C. relative to 33° C. for influenza A strains, or that the virus exhibits a 100 fold or greater reduction in titer at 37° C. relative to 33° C. for influenza B strains. The term “cold adapted” (ca) indicates that the virus exhibits growth at 25° C. within 100 fold of its growth at 33° C., while the term “attenuated” (att) indicates that the virus replicates in the upper airways of ferrets but is not detectable in their lung tissues, and does not cause influenza-like illness in the animal. It will be understood that viruses with intermediate phenotypes, i.e., viruses exhibiting titer reductions less than 100 fold at 39° C. (for A strain viruses) or 37° C. (for B strain viruses), or exhibiting growth at 25° C. that is more than 100 fold than its growth at 33° C. (e.g., within 200 fold, 500 fold, 1000 fold, 10,000 fold less), and/or exhibit reduced growth in the lungs relative to growth in the upper airways of ferrets (i.e., partially attenuated) and/or reduced influenza like illness in the animal, are also useful viruses and can be used in conjunction with the HA and NA sequences herein.

Thus, the present invention can utilize growth, e.g., in appropriate culture conditions, of virus strains (both A strain and B strain influenza viruses) with desirable properties relative to vaccine production (e.g., attenuated pathogenicity or phenotype, cold adaptation, temperature sensitivity, etc.) in vitro in cultured cells. Influenza viruses can be produced by introducing a plurality of vectors incorporating cloned viral genome segments into host cells, and culturing the cells at a temperature not exceeding 35° C. When vectors including an influenza virus genome are transfected, recombinant viruses suitable as vaccines can be recovered by standard purification procedures. Using the vector system and methods of the invention, reassortant viruses incorporating the six internal gene segments of a strain selected for its desirable properties with respect to vaccine production, and the immunogenic HA and NA segments from a selected, e.g., pathogenic strain such as those in the sequence listing herein, can be rapidly and efficiently produced in tissue culture. Thus, the system and methods described herein are useful for the rapid production in cell culture of recombinant and reassortant influenza A and B viruses, including viruses suitable for use as vaccines, including live attenuated vaccines, such as vaccines suitable for intranasal administration.

In such embodiments, typically, a single Master Donor Virus (MDV) strain is selected for each of the A and B subtypes. In the case of a live attenuated vaccine, the Master Donor Virus strain is typically chosen for its favorable properties, e.g., temperature sensitivity, cold adaptation and/or attenuation, relative to vaccine production. For example, exemplary Master Donor Strains include such temperature sensitive, attenuated and cold adapted strains of A/Ann Arbor/6/60 and B/Ann Arbor/1/66, respectively, as well as others mentioned throughout.

For example, a selected master donor type A virus (MDV-A), or master donor type B virus (MDV-B), is produced from a plurality of cloned viral cDNAs constituting the viral genome. Embodiments include those wherein recombinant viruses are produced from eight cloned viral cDNAs. Eight viral cDNAs representing either the selected MDV-A or MDV-B sequences of PB2, PB1, PA, NP, HA, NA, M and NS are optionally cloned into a bi-directional expression vector, such as a plasmid (e.g., pAD3000), such that the viral genomic RNA can be transcribed from an RNA polymerase I (pol I) promoter from one strand and the viral mRNAs can be synthesized from an RNA polymerase II (pol II) promoter from the other strand. Optionally, any gene segment can be modified, including the HA segment (e.g., to remove the multi-basic cleavage site (also known as a polybasic cleavage site)).

Infectious recombinant MDV-A or MDV-B virus can be then recovered following transfection of plasmids bearing the eight viral cDNAs into appropriate host cells, e.g., Vero cells, co-cultured MDCK/293T or MDCK/COS7 cells. Using the plasmids and methods described herein and, e.g., in U.S. Application No. 60/420,708, filed Oct. 23, 2002, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/423,828, filed Apr. 25, 2003, and U.S. Application No. 60/574,117, filed May 24, 2004, all entitled “Multi-Plasmid System for the Production of Influenza Virus”; Hoffmann, E., 2000, PNAS, 97(11):6108-6113; U.S. Published Patent Application No. 20020164770 to Hoffmann; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,785 issued Apr. 8, 2003 to Palese, et al., the invention is useful, e.g., for generating 6:2 reassortant influenza vaccines by co-transfection of the 6 internal genes (PB1, PB2, PA, NP, M and NS) of the selected virus (e.g., MDV-A, MDV-B) together with the HA and NA derived from different corresponding type (A or B) influenza viruses e.g., as shown in the sequence listings herein. For example, the HA segment is favorably selected from a pathogenically relevant H1, H3 or B strain, as is routinely performed for vaccine production. Similarly, the HA segment can be selected from a strain with emerging relevance as a pathogenic strain such as those in the sequence listing herein. Reassortants incorporating seven genome segments of the MDV and either the HA or NA gene of a selected strain (7:1 reassortants) can also be produced. It will be appreciated, and as is detailed throughout, the molecules of the invention can optionally be combined in any desired combination. For example, the HA and/or NA sequences herein can be placed, e.g., into a reassortant backbone such as A/AA/6/60, B/AA/1/66, A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (i.e., PR8), etc., in 6:2 reassortants or 7:1 reassortants, etc. Thus, as explained more fully below, there would be 6 backbone gene regions from the donor virus (again, e.g., A/AA/6/60, etc.) and 2 genes regions from a second strain (e.g., a wild-type strain, not the backbone donor virus). Such 2 gene regions are preferably the HA and NA genes. A similar situation arises for 7:1 reassortants, in which however, there are 7 gene regions from the background donor virus and 1 gene (either HA or NA) from a different virus (typically wild-type or one to which an immune response is desired). Also, it will be appreciated that the sequences herein (e.g., those in the sequence listing of FIG. 1, etc.) can be combined in a number of means in different embodiments herein. Thus, any of the sequences herein can be present singularly in a 7:1 reassortant (i.e., the sequence of the invention present with 7 backbone donor virus gene regions) and/or can be present with another sequence of the invention in a 6:2 reassortant. Within such 6:2 reassortants, any of the sequences of the invention can optionally be present with any other sequence of the invention. Typical, and preferred, embodiments comprise HA and NA from the same original wild-type strains however (or modified wild-type strains such as those with modified polybasic cleavage sites). For example, typical embodiments can comprise a 6:2 reassortant having 6 gene regions from a backbone donor virus such as A/AA/6/60 and the HA and NA gene regions from the same strain such as ca A/Shandong/9/93 or both HA and NA from ca A/Wuhan/395/95 or both HA and NA from ca B/Ann Arbor/1/94 (which would typically, but not exclusively, be present within a B influenza backbone donor virus such as B/Ann Arbor/1/66, etc.), etc. Of course, it will again be appreciated that the invention also includes such reassortant viruses wherein the non-background gene regions (i.e., the HA and/or NA regions) are from similar strains (i.e., strains that are similar strains to influenza strains having the sequences found in SEQ ID NO:1-48. The above references are specifically incorporated herein in their entirety for all purposes, e.g., especially for their teachings regarding plasmids, plasmid rescue of virus (influenza virus), multi-plasmid systems for virus rescue/production, etc.

Again, the HA and NA sequences of the current invention are optionally utilized in such plasmid reassortment vaccines (and/or in other ts, cs, ca, and/or att viruses and vaccines). However, it should be noted that the HA and NA sequences, etc. of the invention are not limited to specific vaccine compositions or production methods, and can, thus, be utilized in substantially any vaccine type or vaccine production method which utilizes strain specific HA and NA antigens (e.g., the sequences of the invention).

FluMist™

As mentioned previously, numerous examples and types of influenza vaccine exist. An exemplary influenza vaccine is FluMist™ (MedImmune Vaccines Inc., Mt. View, Calif.) which is a live, attenuated vaccine that protects children and adults from influenza illness (Belshe et al. (1998) The efficacy of live attenuated, cold-adapted, trivalent, intranasal influenza virus vaccine in children N Engl J Med 338:1405-12; Nichol et al. (1999) Effectiveness of live, attenuated intranasal influenza virus vaccine in healthy, working adults: a randomized controlled trial JAMA 282:137-44). In typical, and preferred, embodiments, the methods and compositions of the current invention are preferably adapted to/used with production of FluMist™ vaccine. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the sequences, methods, compositions, etc. herein are also adaptable to production of similar or even different viral vaccines.

FluMist™ vaccine strains contain, e.g., HA and NA gene segments derived from the wild-type strains to which the vaccine is addressed (or, in some instances, to related strains) along with six gene segments, PB1, PB2, PA, NP, M and NS, from a common master donor virus (MDV). The HA and NA sequences herein, thus, are optionally part of various FluMist™ formulations. The MDV for influenza A strains of FluMist™ (MDV-A), was created by serial passage of the wild-type A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (A/AA/6/60) strain in primary chicken kidney tissue culture at successively lower temperatures (Maassab (1967) Adaptation and growth characteristics of influenza virus at 25 degrees C. Nature 213:612-4). MDV-A replicates efficiently at 25° C. (ca, cold adapted), but its growth is restricted at 38 and 39° C. (ts, temperature sensitive). Additionally, this virus does not replicate in the lungs of infected ferrets (att, attenuation). The ts phenotype is believed to contribute to the attenuation of the vaccine in humans by restricting its replication in all but the coolest regions of the respiratory tract. The stability of this property has been demonstrated in animal models and clinical studies. In contrast to the ts phenotype of influenza strains created by chemical mutagenesis, the ts property of MDV-A does not revert following passage through infected hamsters or in shed isolates from children (for a recent review, see Murphy & Coelingh (2002) Principles underlying the development and use of live attenuated cold-adapted influenza A and B virus vaccines Viral Immunol 15:295-323).

Clinical studies in over 20,000 adults and children involving 12 separate 6:2 reassortant strains have shown that these vaccines are attenuated, safe and efficacious (Belshe et al. (1998) The efficacy of live attenuated, cold-adapted, trivalent, intranasal influenza virus vaccine in children N Engl J Med 338:1405-12; Boyce et al. (2000) Safety and immunogenicity of adjuvanted and unadjuvanted subunit influenza vaccines administered intranasally to healthy adults Vaccine 19:217-26; Edwards et al. (1994) A randomized controlled trial of cold adapted and inactivated vaccines for the prevention of influenza A disease J Infect Dis 169:68-76; Nichol et al. (1999) Effectiveness of live, attenuated intranasal influenza virus vaccine in healthy, working adults: a randomized controlled trial JAMA 282:137-44). Reassortants carrying the six internal genes of MDV-A and the two HA and NA gene segments of a wild-type virus (i.e., a 6:2 reassortant) consistently maintain ca, ts and att phenotypes (Maassab et al. (1982) Evaluation of a cold-recombinant influenza virus vaccine in ferrets J. Infect. Dis. 146:780-900).

Production of such reassorted virus using B strains of influenza is more difficult, however, recent work (see, e.g., U.S. Application No. 60/420,708, filed Oct. 23, 2002, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/423,828, filed Apr. 25, 2003, and U.S. Application No. 60/574,117, filed May 24, 2004, all entitled “Multi-Plasmid System for the Production of Influenza Virus”) has shown an eight plasmid system for the generation of influenza B virus entirely from cloned cDNA. Methods for the production of attenuated live influenza A and B virus suitable for vaccine formulations, such as live virus vaccine formulations useful for intranasal administration were also shown.

The system and methods described previously are useful for the rapid production in cell culture of recombinant and reassortant influenza A and B viruses, including viruses suitable for use as vaccines, including live attenuated vaccines, such as vaccines suitable for intranasal administration. The sequences, methods, etc. of the current invention, are optionally used in conjunction with, or in combination with, such previous work involving, e.g., reassorted influenza viruses for vaccine production to produce viruses for vaccines.

Methods and Compositions for Prophylactic Administration of Vaccines

As stated above, alternatively, or in addition to, use in production of FluMist™ vaccine, the current invention can be used in other vaccine formulations. In general, recombinant and reassortant viruses of the invention (e.g., those comprising polynucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1-48 or polypeptides of SEQ ID NO:49-96, or similar strains of the virus sequences within SEQ ID NO:1-96, or fragments of any of the previous) can be administered prophylactically in an immunologically effective amount and in an appropriate carrier or excipient to stimulate an immune response specific for one or more strains of influenza virus as determined by the HA and/or NA sequence. Typically, the carrier or excipient is a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient, such as sterile water, aqueous saline solution, aqueous buffered saline solutions, aqueous dextrose solutions, aqueous glycerol solutions, ethanol, allantoic fluid from uninfected hen eggs (i.e., normal allantoic fluid or NAF), or combinations thereof. The preparation of such solutions insuring sterility, pH, isotonicity, and stability is effected according to protocols established in the art. Generally, a carrier or excipient is selected to minimize allergic and other undesirable effects, and to suit the particular route of administration, e.g., subcutaneous, intramuscular, intranasal, etc.

A related aspect of the invention provides methods for stimulating the immune system of an individual to produce a protective immune response against influenza virus. In the methods, an immunologically effective amount of a recombinant influenza virus (e.g., an HA and/or an NA molecule of the invention), an immunologically effective amount of a polypeptide of the invention, and/or an immunologically effective amount of a nucleic acid of the invention is administered to the individual in a physiologically acceptable carrier.

Generally, the influenza viruses of the invention are administered in a quantity sufficient to stimulate an immune response specific for one or more strains of influenza virus (i.e., against the HA and/or NA strains of the invention). Preferably, administration of the influenza viruses elicits a protective immune response to such strains. Dosages and methods for eliciting a protective immune response against one or more influenza strains are known to those of skill in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,326; Wright et al., Infect. Immun. 37:397-400 (1982); Kim et al., Pediatrics 52:56-63 (1973); and Wright et al., J. Pediatr. 88:931-936 (1976). For example, influenza viruses are provided in the range of about 1-1000 HID₅₀ (human infectious dose), i.e., about 10⁵-10⁸ pfu (plaque forming units) per dose administered. Typically, the dose will be adjusted within this range based on, e.g., age, physical condition, body weight, sex, diet, time of administration, and other clinical factors. The prophylactic vaccine formulation is systemically administered, e.g., by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection using a needle and syringe, or a needle-less injection device. Alternatively, the vaccine formulation is administered intranasally, either by drops, large particle aerosol (greater than about 10 microns), or spray into the upper respiratory tract. While any of the above routes of delivery results in a protective systemic immune response, intranasal administration confers the added benefit of eliciting mucosal immunity at the site of entry of the influenza virus. For intranasal administration, attenuated live virus vaccines are often preferred, e.g., an attenuated, cold adapted and/or temperature sensitive recombinant or reassortant influenza virus. See above. While stimulation of a protective immune response with a single dose is preferred, additional dosages can be administered, by the same or different route, to achieve the desired prophylactic effect.

Typically, the attenuated recombinant influenza of this invention as used in a vaccine is sufficiently attenuated such that symptoms of infection, or at least symptoms of serious infection, will not occur in most individuals immunized (or otherwise infected) with the attenuated influenza virus. In some instances, the attenuated influenza virus can still be capable of producing symptoms of mild illness (e.g., mild upper respiratory illness) and/or of dissemination to unvaccinated individuals. However, its virulence is sufficiently abrogated such that severe lower respiratory tract infections do not occur in the vaccinated or incidental host.

Alternatively, an immune response can be stimulated by ex vivo or in vivo targeting of dendritic cells with influenza viruses comprising the sequences herein. For example, proliferating dendritic cells are exposed to viruses in a sufficient amount and for a sufficient period of time to permit capture of the influenza antigens by the dendritic cells. The cells are then transferred into a subject to be vaccinated by standard intravenous transplantation methods.

While stimulation of a protective immune response with a single dose is preferred, additional dosages can be administered, by the same or different route, to achieve the desired prophylactic effect. In neonates and infants, for example, multiple administrations may be required to elicit sufficient levels of immunity. Administration can continue at intervals throughout childhood, as necessary to maintain sufficient levels of protection against wild-type influenza infection. Similarly, adults who are particularly susceptible to repeated or serious influenza infection, such as, for example, health care workers, day care workers, family members of young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised cardiopulmonary function may require multiple immunizations to establish and/or maintain protective immune responses. Levels of induced immunity can be monitored, for example, by measuring amounts of neutralizing secretory and serum antibodies, and dosages adjusted or vaccinations repeated as necessary to elicit and maintain desired levels of protection.

Optionally, the formulation for prophylactic administration of the influenza viruses also contains one or more adjuvants for enhancing the immune response to the influenza antigens. Suitable adjuvants include: complete Freund's adjuvant, incomplete Freund's adjuvant, saponin, mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil or hydrocarbon emulsions, bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), Corynebacterium parvum, and the synthetic adjuvants QS-21 and MF59.

If desired, prophylactic vaccine administration of influenza viruses can be performed in conjunction with administration of one or more immunostimulatory molecules. Immunostimulatory molecules include various cytokines, lymphokines and chemokines with immunostimulatory, immunopotentiating, and pro-inflammatory activities, such as interleukins (e.g., IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-12, IL-13); growth factors (e.g., granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-colony stimulating factor (CSF)); and other immunostimulatory molecules, such as macrophage inflammatory factor, Flt3 ligand, B7.1; B7.2, etc. The immunostimulatory molecules can be administered in the same formulation as the influenza viruses, or can be administered separately. Either the protein (e.g., an HA and/or NA polypeptide of the invention) or an expression vector encoding the protein can be administered to produce an immunostimulatory effect.

The above described methods are useful for therapeutically and/or prophylactically treating a disease or disorder, typically influenza, by introducing a vector of the invention comprising a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a therapeutically or prophylactically effective HA and/or NA polypeptide (or peptide) or HA and/or NA RNA (e.g., an antisense RNA or ribozyme) into a population of target cells in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. Typically, the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide (or peptide), or RNA, of interest is operably linked to appropriate regulatory sequences, e.g., as described herein. Optionally, more than one heterologous coding sequence is incorporated into a single vector or virus. For example, in addition to a polynucleotide encoding a therapeutically or prophylactically active HA and/or NA polypeptide or RNA, the vector can also include additional therapeutic or prophylactic polypeptides, e.g., antigens, co-stimulatory molecules, cytokines, antibodies, etc., and/or markers, and the like.

Although vaccination of an individual with an attenuated influenza virus of a particular strain of a particular subgroup can induce cross-protection against influenza virus of different strains and/or subgroups, cross-protection can be enhanced, if desired, by vaccinating the individual with attenuated influenza virus from at least two, at least three, or at least four influenza virus strains or substrains, e.g., at least two of which may represent a different subgroup. For example, vaccinating an individual with at least four strains or substrains of attenuated influenza virus may include vaccinating the individual with at least two strains or substrains of influenza A virus and at least two strains or substrains of influenza B virus. Vaccinating the individual with the at least four strains or substrains of attenuated influenza virus may include vaccinating the individual with at least three strains or substrains of influenza A virus and at least one strain or substrain of influenza B virus. The vaccination of the individual with at least four influenza virus strains or substrains may require administration of a single tetravalent vaccine which comprises all of the at least four attenuated influenza virus strains or substrains. The vaccination may alternatively require administration of multiple vaccines, each of which comprises one, two, or three of the attenuated influenza virus strains or substrains. Additionally, vaccine combinations can optionally include mixes of pandemic vaccines and non-pandemic strains. Vaccine mixtures (or multiple vaccinations) can comprise components from human strains and/or non-human influenza strains (e.g., avian and human, etc.). Similarly, the attenuated influenza virus vaccines of this invention can optionally be combined with vaccines that induce protective immune responses against other infectious agents.

Polynucleotides of the Invention

Probes

The HA and NA polynucleotides of the invention, e.g., as shown in the sequences herein such as SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:48, and fragments thereof, are optionally used in a number of different capacities alternative to, or in addition to, the vaccines described above. Other exemplary uses are described herein for illustrative purpose and not as limitations on the actual range of uses, etc. Different methods of construction, purification, and characterization of the nucleotide sequences of the invention are also described herein.

In some embodiments, nucleic acids including one or more polynucleotide sequence of the invention are favorably used as probes for the detection of corresponding or related nucleic acids in a variety of contexts, such as in nucleic hybridization experiments, e.g., to find and/or characterize homologous influenza variants (e.g., homologues to sequences herein, etc.) infecting other species or in different influenza outbreaks, etc. The probes can be either DNA or RNA molecules, such as restriction fragments of genomic or cloned DNA, cDNAs, PCR amplification products, transcripts, and oligonucleotides, and can vary in length from oligonucleotides as short as about 10 nucleotides in length to full length sequences or cDNAs in excess of 1 kb or more. For example, in some embodiments, a probe of the invention includes a polynucleotide sequence or subsequence selected, e.g., from among SEQ ID NO:1-SEQ ID NO:48, or sequences complementary thereto. Alternatively, polynucleotide sequences that are variants of one of the above-designated sequences are used as probes. Most typically, such variants include one or a few conservative nucleotide variations. For example, pairs (or sets) of oligonucleotides can be selected, in which the two (or more) polynucleotide sequences are conservative variations of each other, wherein one polynucleotide sequence corresponds identically to a first variant or and the other(s) corresponds identically to additional variants. Such pairs of oligonucleotide probes are particularly useful, e.g., for specific hybridization experiments to detect polymorphic nucleotides or to, e.g., detect homologous influenza HA and NA variants, e.g., homologous to the current HA and NA sequences, infecting other species or present in different (e.g., either temporally and/or geographically different) influenza outbreaks. In other applications, probes are selected that are more divergent, that is probes that are at least about 91% (or about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 98.5%, about 98.7%, about 99%, about 99.1%, about 99.2%, about 99.3%, about 99.4%, about 99.5%, or about 99.6% or more about 99.7%, about 99.8%, about 99.9% or more) identical are selected.

The probes of the invention, e.g., as exemplified by sequences derived from the sequences herein, can also be used to identify additional useful polynucleotide sequences according to procedures routine in the art. In one set of embodiments, one or more probes, as described above, are utilized to screen libraries of expression products or chromosomal segments (e.g., expression libraries or genomic libraries) to identify clones that include sequences identical to, or with significant sequence similarity to, e.g., one or more probe of, e.g., SEQ ID NO:1-SEQ ID NO:48, i.e., variants, homologues, etc. It will be understood that in addition to such physical methods as library screening, computer assisted bioinformatic approaches, e.g., BLAST and other sequence homology search algorithms, and the like, can also be used for identifying related polynucleotide sequences. Polynucleotide sequences identified in this manner are also a feature of the invention.

Oligonucleotide probes are optionally produced via a variety of methods well known to those skilled in the art. Most typically, they are produced by well known synthetic methods, such as the solid phase phosphoramidite triester method described by Beaucage and Caruthers (1981) Tetrahedron Letts 22(20):1859-1862, e.g., using an automated synthesizer, or as described in Needham-Van Devanter et al. (1984) Nucl Acids Res, 12:6159-6168. Oligonucleotides can also be custom made and ordered from a variety of commercial sources known to persons of skill. Purification of oligonucleotides, where necessary, is typically performed by either native acrylamide gel electrophoresis or by anion-exchange HPLC as described in Pearson and Regnier (1983) J Chrom 255:137-149. The sequence of the synthetic oligonucleotides can be verified using the chemical degradation method of Maxam and Gilbert (1980) in Grossman and Moldave (eds.) Academic Press, New York, Methods in Enzymology 65:499-560. Custom oligos can also easily be ordered from a variety of commercial sources known to persons of skill.

In other circumstances, e.g., relating to attributes of cells or organisms expressing the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention (e.g., those harboring virus comprising the sequences of the invention), probes that are polypeptides, peptides or antibodies are favorably utilized. For example, isolated or recombinant polypeptides, polypeptide fragments and peptides derived from any of the amino acid sequences of the invention and/or encoded by polynucleotide sequences of the invention, e.g., selected from SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:48, are favorably used to identify and isolate antibodies, e.g., from phage display libraries, combinatorial libraries, polyclonal sera, and the like.

Antibodies specific for any a polypeptide sequence or subsequence, e.g., of SEQ ID NO:49 through SEQ ID NO:96, and/or encoded by polynucleotide sequences of the invention, e.g., selected from SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:48, are likewise valuable as probes for evaluating expression products, e.g., from cells or tissues. In addition, antibodies are particularly suitable for evaluating expression of proteins comprising amino acid subsequences, e.g., of those given herein, or encoded by polynucleotides sequences of the invention, e.g., selected from those shown herein, in situ, in a tissue array, in a cell, tissue or organism, e.g., an organism infected by an unidentified influenza virus or the like. Antibodies can be directly labeled with a detectable reagent, or detected indirectly by labeling of a secondary antibody specific for the heavy chain constant region (i.e., isotype) of the specific antibody. Antibodies against specific amino acids sequences herein (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 49-96) are also useful in determining whether other influenza viruses are within the same strain as the current sequences (e.g., through an HI assay, etc.). Additional details regarding production of specific antibodies are provided below.

Diagnostic Assays

The nucleic acid sequences of the present invention can be used in diagnostic assays to detect influenza (and/or hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase) in a sample, to detect hemagglutinin-like and/or neuraminidase-like sequences, and to detect strain differences in clinical isolates of influenza using either chemically synthesized or recombinant polynucleotide fragments, e.g., selected from the sequences herein. For example, fragments of the hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase sequences comprising at least between 10 and 20 nucleotides can be used as primers to amplify nucleic acids using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods well known in the art (e.g., reverse transcription-PCR) and as probes in nucleic acid hybridization assays to detect target genetic material such as influenza RNA in clinical specimens.

The probes of the invention, e.g., as exemplified by unique subsequences selected from, e.g., SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:48, can also be used to identify additional useful polynucleotide sequences (such as to characterize additional strains of influenza) according to procedures routine in the art. In one set of preferred embodiments, one or more probes, as described above, are utilized to screen libraries of expression products or cloned viral nucleic acids (i.e., expression libraries or genomic libraries) to identify clones that include sequences identical to, or with significant sequence identity to the sequences herein. In turn, each of these identified sequences can be used to make probes, including pairs or sets of variant probes as described above. It will be understood that in addition to such physical methods as library screening, computer assisted bioinformatic approaches, e.g., BLAST and other sequence homology search algorithms, and the like, can also be used for identifying related polynucleotide sequences.

The probes of the invention are particularly useful for detecting the presence and for determining the identity of influenza nucleic acids in cells, tissues or other biological samples (e.g., a nasal wash or bronchial lavage). For example, the probes of the invention are favorably utilized to determine whether a biological sample, such as a subject (e.g., a human subject) or model system (such as a cultured cell sample) has been exposed to, or become infected with influenza, or particular strain(s) of influenza. Detection of hybridization of the selected probe to nucleic acids originating in (e.g., isolated from) the biological sample or model system is indicative of exposure to or infection with the virus (or a related virus) from which the probe polynucleotide is selected.

It will be appreciated that probe design is influenced by the intended application. For example, where several allele-specific probe-target interactions are to be detected in a single assay, e.g., on a single DNA chip, it is desirable to have similar melting temperatures for all of the probes. Accordingly, the lengths of the probes are adjusted so that the melting temperatures for all of the probes on the array are closely similar (it will be appreciated that different lengths for different probes may be needed to achieve a particular T_(m) where different probes have different GC contents). Although melting temperature is a primary consideration in probe design, other factors are optionally used to further adjust probe construction, such as selecting against primer self-complementarity and the like.

Vectors, Promoters and Expression Systems

The present invention includes recombinant constructs incorporating one or more of the nucleic acid sequences described herein. Such constructs optionally include a vector, for example, a plasmid, a cosmid, a phage, a virus, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC), a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC), etc., into which one or more of the polynucleotide sequences of the invention, e.g., comprising any of SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:48, or a subsequence thereof etc., has been inserted, in a forward or reverse orientation. For example, the inserted nucleic acid can include a viral chromosomal sequence or cDNA including all or part of at least one of the polynucleotide sequences of the invention. In one embodiment, the construct further comprises regulatory sequences, including, for example, a promoter, operably linked to the sequence. Large numbers of suitable vectors and promoters are known to those of skill in the art, and are commercially available.

The polynucleotides of the present invention can be included in any one of a variety of vectors suitable for generating sense or antisense RNA, and optionally, polypeptide (or peptide) expression products (e.g., a hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase molecule of the invention, or hemagglutinin or neuraminidase fragments). Such vectors include chromosomal, nonchromosomal and synthetic DNA sequences, e.g., derivatives of SV40; bacterial plasmids; phage DNA; baculovirus; yeast plasmids; vectors derived from combinations of plasmids and phage DNA, viral DNA such as vaccinia, adenovirus, fowl pox virus, pseudorabies, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, retroviruses and many others (e.g., pCDL). Any vector that is capable of introducing genetic material into a cell, and, if replication is desired, which is replicable in the relevant host can be used.

In an expression vector, the HA and/or NA polynucleotide sequence of interest is physically arranged in proximity and orientation to an appropriate transcription control sequence (e.g., promoter, and optionally, one or more enhancers) to direct mRNA synthesis. That is, the polynucleotide sequence of interest is operably linked to an appropriate transcription control sequence. Examples of such promoters include: LTR or SV40 promoter, E. coli lac or trp promoter, phage lambda P_(L) promoter, and other promoters known to control expression of genes in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells or their viruses.

A variety of promoters are suitable for use in expression vectors for regulating transcription of influenza virus genome segments. In certain embodiments, the cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA dependent RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) promoter is utilized. If desired, e.g., for regulating conditional expression, other promoters can be substituted which induce RNA transcription under the specified conditions, or in the specified tissues or cells. Numerous viral and mammalian, e.g., human promoters are available, or can be isolated according to the specific application contemplated. For example, alternative promoters obtained from the genomes of animal and human viruses include such promoters as the adenovirus (such as Adenovirus 2), papilloma virus, hepatitis-B virus, polyoma virus, and Simian Virus 40 (SV40), and various retroviral promoters. Mammalian promoters include, among many others, the actin promoter, immunoglobulin promoters, heat-shock promoters, and the like.

Various embodiments of the current invention can comprise a number of different vector constructions. Such constructions are typically and preferably used in plasmid rescue systems to create viruses for use in vaccines (e.g., in live attenuated vaccines, in killed or inactivated vaccines, etc.). Thus, the invention includes recombinant DNA molecules having a transcription control element that binds a DNA-directed RNA polymerase that is operatively linked to a DNA sequence that encodes an RNA molecule, wherein the RNA molecule comprises a binding site specific for an RNA-directed RNA polymerase of a negative strand RNA virus, operatively linked to an RNA sequence comprising the reverse complement of a mRNA coding sequence of a negative strand RNA virus. Also, the invention includes a recombinant DNA molecule that, upon transcription yields an RNA template that contains an RNA sequence comprising the reverse complement of an mRNA coding sequence of a negative strand RNA virus, and vRNA terminal sequences. The invention also includes a recombinant DNA molecule that upon transcription yields a replicable RNA template comprising the reverse complement of an mRNA coding sequence of a negative strand RNA virus. Such above recombinant DNA molecules typically involve wherein the negative strand RNA virus is influenza (e.g., influenza A or B, etc.). Also, the RNA molecule in such embodiments is typically an influenza genome segment and the RNA template is typically an influenza genome segment. The recombinant DNA molecules typically comprise wherein the RNA template is replicable, wherein the negative strand RNA virus is influenza, and wherein the RNA template is an influenza genome segment. Thus, the nucleic acids influenza segments typically comprise HA and/or NA genes (the corresponding nucleic acid of which is, e.g., in FIG. 1, or within similar strains of the strains having the nucleic acids in, e.g., FIG. 1.

The invention also includes methods of preparing an RNA molecule comprising transcribing a recombinant DNA molecule with a DNA-directed RNA polymerase, wherein the DNA molecule comprises a transcription control element that binds a DNA-directed RNA polymerase that is operatively linked to a DNA sequence that encodes an RNA molecule, wherein the RNA molecule comprises a binding site specific for an RNA-directed RNA polymerase of a negative strand RNA virus, operatively linked to an RNA sequence comprising the reverse complement of an mRNA coding sequence of a negative strand RNA virus. The invention also includes a method of preparing an RNA molecule comprising transcribing a recombinant DNA molecule with a DNA-directed RNA polymerase, wherein the recombinant DNA molecule yields upon transcription an RNA molecule that contains an RNA sequence comprising the reverse complement of an mRNA coding sequence of a negative strand RNA virus, and vRNA terminal sequences. Furthermore, the invention includes a method of preparing an RNA molecule comprising transcribing a recombinant DNA molecule with a DNA-directed RNA polymerase, wherein the recombinant DNA molecule yields upon transcription a replicable RNA molecule comprising the reverse complement of an mRNA coding sequence of a negative strand RNA virus. Such methods typically comprise wherein the negative strand RNA virus is influenza, and wherein the RNA molecule is an influenza genome segment. Such methods preferably include wherein the DNA-directed RNA polymerase is pol I, pol II, T7 polymerase, T3 polymerase, or Sp6 polymerase. Thus, again, the influenza nucleic acid segments typically comprise HA and/or NA genes as described throughout.

Other methods within the invention include methods of constructing a DNA molecule comprising a transcription control element that binds a DNA-directed RNA polymerase that is operatively linked to a DNA sequence that encodes an RNA molecule, wherein the RNA molecule comprises a binding site specific for an RNA-directed RNA polymerase of an influenza virus, operatively linked to an RNA sequence comprising the reverse complement of an mRNA coding sequence of an influenza virus, wherein the DNA sequence comprises a nucleic acid corresponding to one or more of SEQ ID NO:1-48 or a fragment thereof or of one or more nucleic acid sequence of a similar strain (e.g., a strain similar to such strains having the sequences found in the sequences of FIG. 1, etc.). Also, the invention includes a method of constructing a DNA molecule comprising a DNA sequence that upon transcription yields an RNA template that contains an RNA sequence comprising the reverse complement of an mRNA coding sequence of an influenza virus, and vRNA terminal sequences, wherein the DNA sequence comprises a nucleic acid corresponding to one or more of SEQ ID NO:1-48 or a fragment thereof, or of one or more nucleic acid of a similar strain (e.g., a strain similar to such strains that have the sequences found in FIG. 1, etc.). Such methods also include wherein the RNA template is replicable. Other methods of the invention include those of constructing a DNA molecule comprising a DNA sequence that upon transcription yields a replicable RNA template comprising the reverse complement of an mRNA coding sequence of an influenza virus. These methods of the invention typically include wherein the RNA molecule is an influenza genome segment, wherein the DNA-directed RNA polymerase is pol I, pol II, T7 polymerase, T3 polymerase, or Sp6 polymerase.

Transcription is optionally increased by including an enhancer sequence. Enhancers are typically short, e.g., 10-500 bp, cis-acting DNA elements that act in concert with a promoter to increase transcription. Many enhancer sequences have been isolated from mammalian genes (hemoglobin, elastase, albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, and insulin), and eukaryotic cell viruses. The enhancer can be spliced into the vector at a position 5′ or 3′ to the heterologous coding sequence, but is typically inserted at a site 5′ to the promoter. Typically, the promoter, and if desired, additional transcription enhancing sequences are chosen to optimize expression in the host cell type into which the heterologous DNA is to be introduced (Scharf et al. (1994) Heat stress promoters and transcription factors Results Probl Cell Differ 20:125-62; Kriegler et al. (1990) Assembly of enhancers, promoters, and splice signals to control expression of transferred genes Methods in Enzymol 185: 512-27). Optionally, the amplicon can also contain a ribosome binding site or an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) for translation initiation.

The vectors of the invention also favorably include sequences necessary for the termination of transcription and for stabilizing the mRNA, such as a polyadenylation site or a terminator sequence. Such sequences are commonly available from the 5′ and, occasionally 3′, untranslated regions of eukaryotic or viral DNAs or cDNAs. In one embodiment, the SV40 polyadenylation signal sequences can provide a bi-directional polyadenylation site that insulates transcription of (+) strand mRNA molecules from the PolI promoter initiating replication of the (−) strand viral genome.

In addition, as described above, the expression vectors optionally include one or more selectable marker genes to provide a phenotypic trait for selection of transformed host cells, in addition to genes previously listed, markers such as dihydrofolate reductase or neomycin resistance are suitable for selection in eukaryotic cell culture.

The vector containing the appropriate nucleic acid sequence as described above, as well as an appropriate promoter or control sequence, can be employed to transform a host cell permitting expression of the protein. While the vectors of the invention can be replicated in bacterial cells, most frequently it will be desirable to introduce them into mammalian cells, e.g., Vero cells, BHK cells, MDCK cell, 293 cells, COS cells, or the like, for the purpose of expression.

As described elsewhere, the HA and NA sequences herein, in various embodiments, can be comprised within plasmids involved in plasmid-rescue reassortment. See, e.g., U.S. Application No. 60/420,708, filed Oct. 23, 2002, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/423,828, filed Apr. 25, 2003, and U.S. Application No. 60/574,117, filed May 24, 2004, all entitled “Multi-Plasmid System for the Production of Influenza Virus”; Hoffmann, E., 2000, PNAS, 97(11):6108-6113; U.S. Published Patent Application No. 20020164770 to Hoffmann; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,785 issued Apr. 8, 2003 to Palese, et al. The reassortants produced can include the HA and NA genes arranged with the 6 other influenza genes from the A/Ann Arbor/6/60 donor strain, the B/Ann Arbor/1/66 donor strain (and/or derivatives and modifications thereof), the A/Puerto Rico/8/34 donor strain, etc.

Additional Expression Elements

Most commonly, the genome segment encoding the influenza virus HA and/or NA protein includes any additional sequences necessary for its expression, including translation into a functional viral protein. In other situations, a minigene, or other artificial construct encoding the viral proteins, e.g., an HA and/or NA protein, can be employed. Again, in such case, it is often desirable to include specific initiation signals that aid in the efficient translation of the heterologous coding sequence. These signals can include, e.g., the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences. To insure translation of the entire insert, the initiation codon is inserted in the correct reading frame relative to the viral protein. Exogenous transcriptional elements and initiation codons can be of various origins, both natural and synthetic. The efficiency of expression can be enhanced by the inclusion of enhancers appropriate to the cell system in use.

If desired, polynucleotide sequences encoding additional expressed elements, such as signal sequences, secretion or localization sequences, and the like can be incorporated into the vector, usually, in-frame with the polynucleotide sequence of interest, e.g., to target polypeptide expression to a desired cellular compartment, membrane, or organelle, or to direct polypeptide secretion to the periplasmic space or into the cell culture media. Such sequences are known to those of skill, and include secretion leader peptides, organelle targeting sequences (e.g., nuclear localization sequences, ER retention signals, mitochondrial transit sequences), membrane localization/anchor sequences (e.g., stop transfer sequences, GPI anchor sequences), and the like.

Where translation of a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid sequence of the invention is desired, additional translation specific initiation signals can improve the efficiency of translation. These signals can include, e.g., an ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences, an IRES region, etc. In some cases, for example, full-length cDNA molecules or chromosomal segments including a coding sequence incorporating, e.g., a polynucleotide sequence of the invention (e.g., as in the sequences herein), a translation initiation codon and associated sequence elements are inserted into the appropriate expression vector simultaneously with the polynucleotide sequence of interest. In such cases, additional translational control signals frequently are not required. However, in cases where only a polypeptide coding sequence, or a portion thereof, is inserted, exogenous translational control signals, including, e.g., an ATG initiation codon is often provided for expression of the relevant sequence. The initiation codon is put in the correct reading frame to ensure transcription of the polynucleotide sequence of interest. Exogenous transcriptional elements and initiation codons can be of various origins, both natural and synthetic. The efficiency of expression can be enhanced by the inclusion of enhancers appropriate to the cell system in use (see, e.g., Scharf D. et al. (1994) Results Probl Cell Differ 20:125-62; Bittner et al. (1987) Methods in Enzymol 153:516-544).

Production of Recombinant Virus

Negative strand RNA viruses can be genetically engineered and recovered using a recombinant reverse genetics approach (U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,057 to Palese et al.). Such method was originally applied to engineer influenza viral genomes (Luytj es et al. (1989) Cell 59:1107-1113; Enami et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:11563-11567), and has been successfully applied to a wide variety of segmented and nonsegmented negative strand RNA viruses, e.g., rabies (Schnell et al. (1994) EMBO J. 13: 4195-4203); VSV (Lawson et al. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 4477-4481); measles virus (Radecke et al. (1995) EMBO J. 14:5773-5784); rinderpest virus (Baron & Barrett (1997) J. Virol. 71: 1265-1271); human parainfluenza virus (Hoffman & Banerjee (1997) J. Virol. 71: 3272-3277; Dubin et al. (1997) Virology 235:323-332); SV5 (He et al. (1997) Virology 237:249-260); canine distemper virus (Gassen et al. (2000) J. Virol. 74:10737-44); and Sendai virus (Park et al. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88: 5537-5541; Kato et al. (1996) Genes to Cells 1:569-579). Those of skill in the art will be familiar with these and similar techniques to produce influenza virus comprising the HA and NA sequences of the invention. Recombinant influenza viruses produced according to such methods are also a feature of the invention, as are recombinant influenza virus comprising one or more nucleic acids and/or polypeptides of the invention. Of course, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, influenza viruses in general (and those of the invention as well) are negative stranded RNA viruses. Thus, when the present invention describes influenza viruses as comprising, e.g., the sequences of FIG. 1, etc., it is to be understood to typically mean the corresponding negative stranded RNA version of the sequences. The nucleotide sequences in FIG. 1 comprise DNA versions (e.g., coding plus sense, etc.) of the genes (along with some untranslated regions in the nucleotide sequences). Those of skill in the art can easily convert between RNA and DNA sequences (e.g., changing U to T, etc.), and between complementary nucleotide sequences (whether RNA or DNA), etc. Thus, for example, those of skill in the art can easily convert from a nucleotide sequence (e.g., one given in FIG. 1 such as SEQ ID NO:1) to the corresponding amino acid sequence or to a corresponding complementary sequence (whether DNA or RNA), etc. Also, as will be evident, when such HA and/or NA sequences are described within DNA vectors, e.g., plasmids, etc., then the corresponding DNA version of the sequences are typically to be understood. Again, nucleic acids of the invention include the explicit sequences in the sequence listings herein, as well as the complements of such sequences (both RNA and DNA), the double stranded form of the sequences in the sequence listings, the corresponding RNA forms of the sequences in the sequence listings (either as the RNA complement to the explicit sequence in the sequence listing or as the RNA version of the sequence in the sequence listing, e.g., of the same sense, but comprised of RNA, with U in place of T, etc.). Thus, depending on context herein, the nucleic acid sequences of the invention can comprise the RNA versions of SEQ ID NO: 1-48 (either in positive stranded sense or in negative stranded sense).

Cell Culture and Expression Hosts

The present invention also relates to host cells that are introduced (transduced, transformed or transfected) with vectors of the invention, and the production of polypeptides of the invention by recombinant techniques. Host cells are genetically engineered (i.e., transduced, transformed or transfected) with a vector, such as an expression vector, of this invention. As described above, the vector can be in the form of a plasmid, a viral particle, a phage, etc. Examples of appropriate expression hosts include: bacterial cells, such as E. coli, Streptomyces, and Salmonella typhimurium; fungal cells, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, and Neurospora crassa; or insect cells such as Drosophila and Spodoptera frugiperda.

Most commonly, mammalian cells are used to culture the HA and NA molecules of the invention. Suitable host cells for the replication of influenza virus (e.g., with the HA and/or NA sequences herein) include, e.g., Vero cells, BHK cells, MDCK cells, 293 cells and COS cells, including 293T cells, COS7 cells or the like. Commonly, co-cultures including two of the above cell lines, e.g., MDCK cells and either 293T or COS cells are employed at a ratio, e.g., of 1:1, to improve replication efficiency. Typically, cells are cultured in a standard commercial culture medium, such as Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with serum (e.g., 10% fetal bovine serum), or in serum free medium, under controlled humidity and CO₂ concentration suitable for maintaining neutral buffered pH (e.g., at pH between 7.0 and 7.2). Optionally, the medium contains antibiotics to prevent bacterial growth, e.g., penicillin, streptomycin, etc., and/or additional nutrients, such as L-glutamine, sodium pyruvate, non-essential amino acids, additional supplements to promote favorable growth characteristics, e.g., trypsin, β-mercaptoethanol, and the like.

The engineered host cells can be cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for activating promoters, selecting transformants, or amplifying the inserted polynucleotide sequences, e.g., through production of viruses. The culture conditions, such as temperature, pH and the like, are typically those previously used with the particular host cell selected for expression, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art and in the references cited herein, including, e.g., Freshney (1994) Culture of Animal Cells, a Manual of Basic Technique, 3^(rd) edition, Wiley-Liss, New York and the references cited therein. Other helpful references include, e.g., Paul (1975) Cell and Tissue Culture, 5^(th) ed., Livingston, Edinburgh; Adams (1980) Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-Cell Culture for Biochemists, Work and Burdon (eds.) Elsevier, Amsterdam. Additional details regarding tissue culture procedures of particular interest in the production of influenza virus in vitro include, e.g., Merten et al. (1996) Production of influenza virus in cell cultures for vaccine preparation. in Cohen and Shafferman (eds.) Novel Strategies in Design and Production of Vaccines, which is incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes. Additionally, variations in such procedures adapted to the present invention are readily determined through routine experimentation and will be familiar to those skilled in the art.

Cells for production of influenza virus (e.g., having the HA and/or NA sequences of the invention) can be cultured in serum-containing or serum free medium. In some cases, e.g., for the preparation of purified viruses, it is typically desirable to grow the host cells in serum free conditions. Cells can be cultured in small scale, e.g., less than 25 ml medium, culture tubes or flasks or in large flasks with agitation, in rotator bottles, or on microcarrier beads (e.g., DEAE-Dextran microcarrier beads, such as Dormacell, Pfeifer & Langen; Superbead, Flow Laboratories; styrene copolymer-tri-methylamine beads, such as Hillex, SoloHill, Ann Arbor) in flasks, bottles or reactor cultures. Microcarrier beads are small spheres (in the range of 100-200 microns in diameter) that provide a large surface area for adherent cell growth per volume of cell culture. For example a single liter of medium can include more than 20 million microcarrier beads providing greater than 8000 square centimeters of growth surface. For commercial production of viruses, e.g., for vaccine production, it is often desirable to culture the cells in a bioreactor or fermenter. Bioreactors are available in volumes from under 1 liter to in excess of 100 liters, e.g., Cyto3 Bioreactor (Osmonics, Minnetonka, Minn.); NBS bioreactors (New Brunswick Scientific, Edison, N.J.); laboratory and commercial scale bioreactors from B. Braun Biotech International (B. Braun Biotech, Melsungen, Germany).

Regardless of the culture volume, in many desired aspects of the current invention, it is important that the cultures be maintained at an appropriate temperature, to insure efficient recovery of recombinant and/or reassortant influenza virus using temperature dependent multi plasmid systems (see, e.g., U.S. Application No. 60/420,708, filed Oct. 23, 2002, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/423,828, filed Apr. 25, 2003, and U.S. Application No. 60/574,117, filed May 24, 2004, all entitled “Multi-Plasmid System for the Production of Influenza Virus”), heating of virus solutions for filtration, etc. Typically, a regulator, e.g., a thermostat, or other device for sensing and maintaining the temperature of the cell culture system and/or other solution, is employed to insure that the temperature is at the correct level during the appropriate period (e.g., virus replication, etc.).

In some embodiments herein (e.g., wherein reassorted viruses are to be produced from segments on vectors) vectors comprising influenza genome segments are introduced (e.g., transfected) into host cells according to methods well known in the art for introducing heterologous nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells, including, e.g., calcium phosphate co-precipitation, electroporation, microinjection, lipofection, and transfection employing polyamine transfection reagents. For example, vectors, e.g., plasmids, can be transfected into host cells, such as COS cells, 293T cells or combinations of COS or 293T cells and MDCK cells, using the polyamine transfection reagent TransIT-LT1 (Mirus) according to the manufacturer's instructions in order to produce reassorted viruses, etc. Thus, in one example, approximately 1 μg of each vector is introduced into a population of host cells with approximately 2 μl of TransIT-LT1 diluted in 160 μl medium, preferably serum-free medium, in a total volume of 200 μl. The DNA:transfection reagent mixtures are incubated at room temperature for 45 minutes followed by addition of 800 μl of medium. The transfection mixture is added to the host cells, and the cells are cultured as described via other methods well known to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, for the production of recombinant or reassortant viruses in cell culture, vectors incorporating each of the 8 genome segments, (PB2, PB1, PA, NP, M, NS, HA and NA, e.g., of the invention) are mixed with approximately 20 μl TransIT-LT1 and transfected into host cells. Optionally, serum-containing medium is replaced prior to transfection with serum-free medium, e.g., Opti-MEM I, and incubated for 4-6 hours.

Alternatively, electroporation can be employed to introduce such vectors incorporating influenza genome segments into host cells. For example, plasmid vectors incorporating an influenza A or influenza B virus are favorably introduced into Vero cells using electroporation according to the following procedure. In brief, approximately 5×10⁶ Vero cells, e.g., grown in Modified Eagle's Medium (MEM) supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) are resuspended in 0.4 ml OptiMEM and placed in an electroporation cuvette. Twenty micrograms of DNA in a volume of up to 25 μl is added to the cells in the cuvette, which is then mixed gently by tapping. Electroporation is performed according to the manufacturer's instructions (e.g., BioRad Gene Pulser II with Capacitance Extender Plus connected) at 300 volts, 950 microFarads with a time constant of between 28-33 msec. The cells are remixed by gently tapping and approximately 1-2 minutes following electroporation 0.7 ml MEM with 10% FBS is added directly to the cuvette. The cells are then transferred to two wells of a standard 6 well tissue culture dish containing 2 ml MEM, 10% FBS. The cuvette is washed to recover any remaining cells and the wash suspension is divided between the two wells. Final volume is approximately 3.5 mL. The cells are then incubated under conditions permissive for viral growth, e.g., at approximately 33° C. for cold adapted strains.

In mammalian host cells, a number of expression systems, such as viral-based systems, can be utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an expression vector, a coding sequence is optionally ligated into an adenovirus transcription/translation complex consisting of the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. Insertion in a nonessential E1 or E3 region of the viral genome will result in a viable virus capable of expressing the polypeptides of interest in infected host cells (Logan and Shenk (1984) Proc Natl Acad Sci 81:3655-3659). In addition, transcription enhancers, such as the rous sarcoma virus (RSV) enhancer, can be used to increase expression in mammalian host cells.

A host cell strain is optionally chosen for its ability to modulate the expression of the inserted sequences or to process the expressed protein in the desired fashion. Such modifications of the protein include, but are not limited to, acetylation, carboxylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, lipidation and acylation. Post-translational processing, which cleaves a precursor form into a mature form, of the protein is sometimes important for correct insertion, folding and/or function. Additionally proper location within a host cell (e.g., on the cell surface) is also important. Different host cells such as COS, CHO, BHK, MDCK, 293, 293T, COS7, etc. have specific cellular machinery and characteristic mechanisms for such post-translational activities and can be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing of the current introduced, foreign protein.

For long-term, high-yield production of recombinant proteins encoded by, or having subsequences encoded by, the polynucleotides of the invention, stable expression systems are optionally used. For example, cell lines, stably expressing a polypeptide of the invention, are transfected using expression vectors that contain viral origins of replication or endogenous expression elements and a selectable marker gene. For example, following the introduction of the vector, cells are allowed to grow for 1-2 days in an enriched media before they are switched to selective media. The purpose of the selectable marker is to confer resistance to selection, and its presence allows growth and recovery of cells that successfully express the introduced sequences. Thus, resistant clumps of stably transformed cells, e.g., derived from single cell type, can be proliferated using tissue culture techniques appropriate to the cell type.

Host cells transformed with a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of the invention are optionally cultured under conditions suitable for the expression and recovery of the encoded protein from cell culture. The cells expressing said protein can be sorted, isolated and/or purified. The protein or fragment thereof produced by a recombinant cell can be secreted, membrane-bound, or retained intracellularly, depending on the sequence (e.g., depending upon fusion proteins encoding a membrane retention signal or the like) and/or the vector used.

Expression products corresponding to the nucleic acids of the invention can also be produced in non-animal cells such as plants, yeast, fungi, bacteria and the like. In addition to Sambrook, Berger and Ausubel, all infra, details regarding cell culture can be found in Payne et al. (1992) Plant Cell and Tissue Culture in Liquid Systems John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, N.Y.; Gamborg and Phillips (eds.) (1995) Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture; Fundamental Methods Springer Lab Manual, Springer-Verlag (Berlin Heidelberg New York) and Atlas and Parks (eds.) The Handbook of Microbiological Media (1993) CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.

In bacterial systems, a number of expression vectors can be selected depending upon the use intended for the expressed product. For example, when large quantities of a polypeptide or fragments thereof are needed for the production of antibodies, vectors that direct high-level expression of fusion proteins that are readily purified are favorably employed. Such vectors include, but are not limited to, multifunctional E. coli cloning and expression vectors such as BLUESCRIPT (Stratagene), in which the coding sequence of interest, e.g., sequences comprising those found herein, etc., can be ligated into the vector in-frame with sequences for the amino-terminal translation initiating methionine and the subsequent 7 residues of beta-galactosidase producing a catalytically active beta galactosidase fusion protein; pIN vectors (Van Heeke & Schuster (1989) J Biol Chem 264:5503-5509); pET vectors (Novagen, Madison Wis.); and the like. Similarly, in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae a number of vectors containing constitutive or inducible promoters such as alpha factor, alcohol oxidase and PGH can be used for production of the desired expression products. For reviews, see Ausubel, infra, and Grant et al., (1987); Methods in Enzymology 153:516-544.

Nucleic Acid Hybridization

Comparative hybridization can be used to identify nucleic acids of the invention, including conservative variations of nucleic acids of the invention. This comparative hybridization method is a preferred method of distinguishing nucleic acids of the invention. In addition, target nucleic acids which hybridize to the nucleic acids represented by, e.g., SEQ ID NO:1 through SEQ ID NO:48 under high, ultra-high and ultra-ultra-high stringency conditions are features of the invention. Examples of such nucleic acids include those with one or a few silent or conservative nucleic acid substitutions as compared to a given nucleic acid sequence.

A test target nucleic acid is said to specifically hybridize to a probe nucleic acid when it hybridizes at least one-half as well to the probe as to the perfectly matched complementary target, i.e., with a signal to noise ratio at least one-half as high as hybridization of the probe to the target under conditions in which the perfectly matched probe binds to the perfectly matched complementary target with a signal to noise ratio that is at least about 5×-10× as high as that observed for hybridization to any of the unmatched target nucleic acids.

Nucleic acids “hybridize” when they associate, typically in solution. Nucleic acids hybridize due to a variety of well-characterized physico-chemical forces, such as hydrogen bonding, solvent exclusion, base stacking and the like. Numerous protocols for nucleic acid hybridization are well known in the art. An extensive guide to the hybridization of nucleic acids is found in Tijssen (1993) Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—Hybridization with Nucleic Acid Probes part I chapter 2, “Overview of principles of hybridization and the strategy of nucleic acid probe assays,” (Elsevier, New York), as well as in Ausubel, Sambrook, and Berger and Kimmel, all below. Hames and Higgins (1995) Gene Probes 1 IRL Press at Oxford University Press, Oxford, England, (Hames and Higgins 1) and Hames and Higgins (1995) Gene Probes 2 IRL Press at Oxford University Press, Oxford, England (Hames and Higgins 2) provide details on the synthesis, labeling, detection and quantification of DNA and RNA, including oligonucleotides.

An example of stringent hybridization conditions for hybridization of complementary nucleic acids which have more than 100 complementary residues on a filter in a Southern or northern blot is 50% formalin with 1 mg of heparin at 42° C., with the hybridization being carried out overnight. An example of stringent wash conditions comprises a 0.2×SSC wash at 65° C. for 15 minutes (see, Sambrook, infra for a description of SSC buffer). Often the high stringency wash is preceded by a low stringency wash to remove background probe signal. An example low stringency wash is 2×SSC at 40° C. for 15 minutes. In general, a signal to noise ratio of 5× (or higher) than that observed for an unrelated probe in the particular hybridization assay indicates detection of a specific hybridization.

After hybridization, unhybridized nucleic acids can be removed by a series of washes, the stringency of which can be adjusted depending upon the desired results. Low stringency washing conditions (e.g., using higher salt and lower temperature) increase sensitivity, but can produce nonspecific hybridization signals and high background signals. Higher stringency conditions (e.g., using lower salt and higher temperature that is closer to the T_(m)) lower the background signal, typically with primarily the specific signal remaining See, also, Rapley, R. and Walker, J. M. eds., Molecular Biomethods Handbook (Humana Press, Inc. 1998).

“Stringent hybridization wash conditions” in the context of nucleic acid hybridization experiments such as Southern and northern hybridizations are sequence dependent, and are different under different environmental parameters. An extensive guide to the hybridization of nucleic acids is found in Tijssen (1993), supra, and in Hames and Higgins, 1 and 2. Stringent hybridization and wash conditions can easily be determined empirically for any test nucleic acid. For example, in determining highly stringent hybridization and wash conditions, the hybridization and wash conditions are gradually increased (e.g., by increasing temperature, decreasing salt concentration, increasing detergent concentration and/or increasing the concentration of organic solvents such as formalin in the hybridization or wash), until a selected set of criteria is met. For example, the hybridization and wash conditions are gradually increased until a probe binds to a perfectly matched complementary target with a signal to noise ratio that is at least 5× as high as that observed for hybridization of the probe to an unmatched target.

In general, a signal to noise ratio of at least 2× (or higher, e.g., at least 5×, 10×, 20×, 50×, 100×, or more) than that observed for an unrelated probe in the particular hybridization assay indicates detection of a specific hybridization. Detection of at least stringent hybridization between two sequences in the context of the present invention indicates relatively strong structural similarity to, e.g., the nucleic acids of the present invention provided in the sequence listings herein.

“Very stringent” conditions are selected to be equal to the thermal melting point (T_(m)) for a particular probe. The T_(m) is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of the test sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe. For the purposes of the present invention, generally, “highly stringent” hybridization and wash conditions are selected to be about 5° C. lower than the T_(m) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH (as noted below, highly stringent conditions can also be referred to in comparative terms). Target sequences that are closely related or identical to the nucleotide sequence of interest (e.g., “probe”) can be identified under stringent or highly stringent conditions. Lower stringency conditions are appropriate for sequences that are less complementary.

“Ultra high-stringency” hybridization and wash conditions are those in which the stringency of hybridization and wash conditions are increased until the signal to noise ratio for binding of the probe to the perfectly matched complementary target nucleic acid is at least 10× as high as that observed for hybridization to any unmatched target nucleic acids. A target nucleic acid which hybridizes to a probe under such conditions, with a signal to noise ratio of at least one-half that of the perfectly matched complementary target nucleic acid is said to bind to the probe under ultra-high stringency conditions.

In determining stringent or highly stringent hybridization (or even more stringent hybridization) and wash conditions, the hybridization and wash conditions are gradually increased (e.g., by increasing temperature, decreasing salt concentration, increasing detergent concentration and/or increasing the concentration of organic solvents, such as formamide, in the hybridization or wash), until a selected set of criteria are met. For example, the hybridization and wash conditions are gradually increased until a probe comprising one or more polynucleotide sequences of the invention, e.g., sequences or unique subsequences selected from those given herein and/or complementary polynucleotide sequences, binds to a perfectly matched complementary target (again, a nucleic acid comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences or subsequences selected from those given herein and/or complementary polynucleotide sequences thereof), with a signal to noise ratio that is at least 2× (and optionally 5×, 10×, or 100× or more) as high as that observed for hybridization of the probe to an unmatched target (e.g., a polynucleotide sequence comprising one or more sequences or subsequences selected from known influenza sequences present in public databases such as GenBank at the time of filing, and/or complementary polynucleotide sequences thereof), as desired.

Using the polynucleotides of the invention, or subsequences thereof, novel target nucleic acids can be obtained; such target nucleic acids are also a feature of the invention. For example, such target nucleic acids include sequences that hybridize under stringent conditions to a unique oligonucleotide probe corresponding to any of the polynucleotides of the invention.

Similarly, even higher levels of stringency can be determined by gradually increasing the hybridization and/or wash conditions of the relevant hybridization assay. For example, those in which the stringency of hybridization and wash conditions are increased until the signal to noise ratio for binding of the probe to the perfectly matched complementary target nucleic acid is at least 10×, 20×, 50×, 100×, or 500× or more as high as that observed for hybridization to any unmatched target nucleic acids. The particular signal will depend on the label used in the relevant assay, e.g., a fluorescent label, a colorimetric label, a radioactive label, or the like. A target nucleic acid which hybridizes to a probe under such conditions, with a signal to noise ratio of at least one-half that of the perfectly matched complementary target nucleic acid, is said to bind to the probe under ultra-ultra-high stringency conditions.

Nucleic acids that do not hybridize to each other under stringent conditions are still substantially identical if the polypeptides which they encode are substantially identical. This occurs, e.g., when a copy of a nucleic acid is created using the maximum codon degeneracy permitted by the genetic code.

Cloning, Mutagenesis and Expression of Biomolecules of Interest

General texts which describe molecular biological techniques, which are applicable to the present invention, such as cloning, mutation, cell culture and the like, include Berger and Kimmel, Guide to Molecular Cloning Techniques, Methods in Enzymology volume 152 Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, Calif. (Berger); Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning—A Laboratory Manual (3rd Ed.), Vol. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 2000 (“Sambrook”) and Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, F. M. Ausubel et al., eds., Current Protocols, a joint venture between Greene Publishing Associates, Inc. and John Wiley & Sons, Inc., (supplemented through 2002) (“Ausubel”)). These texts describe mutagenesis, the use of vectors, promoters and many other relevant topics related to, e.g., the generation of HA and/or NA molecules, etc.

Various types of mutagenesis are optionally used in the present invention, e.g., to produce and/or isolate, e.g., novel or newly isolated HA and/or NA molecules and/or to further modify/mutate the polypeptides (e.g., HA and NA molecules) of the invention. They include but are not limited to site-directed, random point mutagenesis, homologous recombination (DNA shuffling), mutagenesis using uracil containing templates, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, phosphorothioate-modified DNA mutagenesis, mutagenesis using gapped duplex DNA or the like. Additional suitable methods include point mismatch repair, mutagenesis using repair-deficient host strains, restriction-selection and restriction-purification, deletion mutagenesis, mutagenesis by total gene synthesis, double-strand break repair, and the like. Mutagenesis, e.g., involving chimeric constructs, is also included in the present invention. In one embodiment, mutagenesis can be guided by known information of the naturally occurring molecule or altered or mutated naturally occurring molecule, e.g., sequence, sequence comparisons, physical properties, crystal structure or the like.

The above texts and examples found herein describe these procedures as well as the following publications (and references cited within): Sieber, et al., Nature Biotechnology, 19:456-460 (2001); Ling et al., Approaches to DNA mutagenesis: an overview, Anal Biochem 254(2): 157-178 (1997); Dale et al., Oligonucleotide-directed random mutagenesis using the phosphorothioate method, Methods Mol Biol 57:369-374 (1996); I. A. Lorimer, I. Pastan, Nucleic Acids Res 23, 3067-8 (1995); W. P. C. Stemmer, Nature 370, 389-91 (1994); Arnold, Protein engineering for unusual environments, Current Opinion in Biotechnology 4:450-455 (1993); Bass et al., Mutant Trp repressors with new DNA-binding specificities, Science 242:240-245 (1988); Fritz et al., Oligonucleotide-directed construction of mutations: a gapped duplex DNA procedure without enzymatic reactions in vitro, Nucl Acids Res 16: 6987-6999 (1988); Kramer et al., Improved enzymatic in vitro reactions in the gapped duplex DNA approach to oligonucleotide-directed construction of mutations, Nucl Acids Res 16: 7207 (1988); Sakamar and Khorana, Total synthesis and expression of a gene for the a-subunit of bovine rod outer segment guanine nucleotide-binding protein (transducin), Nucl Acids Res 14: 6361-6372 (1988); Sayers et al., Y-T Exonucleases in phosphorothioate-based oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, Nucl Acids Res 16:791-802 (1988); Sayers et al., Strand specific cleavage of phosphorothioate-containing DNA by reaction with restriction endonucleases in the presence of ethidium bromide, (1988) Nucl Acids Res 16: 803-814; Carter, Improved oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis using M13 vectors, Methods in Enzymol 154: 382-403 (1987); Kramer & Fritz Oligonucleotide-directed construction of mutations via gapped duplex DNA, Methods in Enzymol 154:350-367 (1987); Kunkel, The efficiency of oligonucleotide directed mutagenesis, in Nucleic Acids & Molecular Biology (Eckstein, F. and Lilley, D. M. J. eds., Springer Verlag, Berlin)) (1987); Kunkel et al., Rapid and efficient site-specific mutagenesis without phenotypic selection, Methods in Enzymol 154, 367-382 (1987); Zoller & Smith, Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis: a simple method using two oligonucleotide primers and a single-stranded DNA template, Methods in Enzymol 154:329-350 (1987); Carter, Site-directed mutagenesis, Biochem J 237:1-7 (1986); Eghtedarzadeh & Henikoff, Use of oligonucleotides to generate large deletions, Nucl Acids Res 14: 5115 (1986); Mandecki, Oligonucleotide-directed double-strand break repair in plasmids of Escherichia coli: a method for site-specific mutagenesis, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 83:7177-7181 (1986); Nakamaye & Eckstein, Inhibition of restriction endonuclease Nci I cleavage by phosphorothioate groups and its application to oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, Nucl Acids Res 14: 9679-9698 (1986); Wells et al., Importance of hydrogen-bond formation in stabilizing the transition state of subtilisin, Phil Trans R Soc Lond A 317: 415-423 (1986); Botstein & Shortle, Strategies and applications of in vitro mutagenesis, Science 229:1193-1201 (1985); Carter et al., Improved oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis using M13 vectors, Nucl Acids Res 13: 4431-4443 (1985); Grundström et al., Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis by microscale ‘shot-gun’ gene synthesis, Nucl Acids Res 13: 3305-3316 (1985); Kunkel, Rapid and efficient site-specific mutagenesis without phenotypic selection, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 82:488-492 (1985); Smith, In vitro mutagenesis, Ann Rev Genet. 19:423-462 (1985); Taylor et al., The use of phosphorothioate-modified DNA in restriction enzyme reactions to prepare nicked DNA, Nucl Acids Res 13: 8749-8764 (1985); Taylor et al., The rapid generation of oligonucleotide-directed mutations at high frequency using phosphorothioate-modified DNA, Nucl Acids Res 13: 8765-8787 (1985); Wells et al., Cassette mutagenesis: an efficient method for generation of multiple mutations at defined sites, Gene 34:315-323 (1985); Kramer et al., The gapped duplex DNA approach to oligonucleotide-directed mutation construction, Nucl Acids Res 12: 9441-9456 (1984); Kramer et al., Point Mismatch Repair, Cell 38:879-887 (1984); Nambiar et al., Total synthesis and cloning of a gene coding for the ribonuclease S protein, Science 223: 1299-1301 (1984); Zoller & Smith, Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis of DNA fragments cloned into M13 vectors, Methods in Enzymol 100:468-500 (1983); and Zoller & Smith, Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis using M13-derived vectors: an efficient and general procedure for the production of point mutations in any DNA fragment, Nucl Acids Res 10:6487-6500 (1982). Additional details on many of the above methods can be found in Methods in Enzymol Volume 154, which also describes useful controls for trouble-shooting problems with various mutagenesis, gene isolation, expression, and other methods.

Oligonucleotides, e.g., for use in mutagenesis of the present invention, e.g., mutating libraries of the HA and/or NA molecules of the invention, or altering such, are typically synthesized chemically according to the solid phase phosphoramidite triester method described by Beaucage and Caruthers, Tetrahedron Letts 22(20):1859-1862, (1981) e.g., using an automated synthesizer, as described in Needham-VanDevanter et al., Nucleic Acids Res, 12:6159-6168 (1984).

In addition, essentially any nucleic acid can be custom or standard ordered from any of a variety of commercial sources, such as The Midland Certified Reagent Company, The Great American Gene Company (see the World Wide Web at the URL “genco.com”), ExpressGen Inc. (see the World Wide Web at the URL “expressgen.com”), Operon Technologies Inc. (Alameda, CA) and many others. Similarly, peptides and antibodies can be custom ordered from any of a variety of sources, such as PeptidoGenic, HTI Bio-products, Inc. (see the World Wide Web at the URL “htibio.com”), BMA Biomedicals Ltd. (U.K.), Bio.Synthesis, Inc., and many others.

The present invention also relates to host cells and organisms comprising a HA and/or NA molecule or other polypeptide and/or nucleic acid of the invention or such HA and/or NA or other sequences within various vectors such as 6:2 reassortant influenza viruses, plasmids in plasmid rescue systems, etc. Host cells are genetically engineered (e.g., transformed, transduced or transfected) with the vectors of this invention, which can be, for example, a cloning vector or an expression vector. The vector can be, for example, in the form of a plasmid, a bacterium, a virus, a naked polynucleotide, or a conjugated polynucleotide. The vectors are introduced into cells and/or microorganisms by standard methods including electroporation (see, From et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 82, 5824 (1985), infection by viral vectors, high velocity ballistic penetration by small particles with the nucleic acid either within the matrix of small beads or particles, or on the surface (Klein et al., Nature 327, 70-73 (1987)). Berger, Sambrook, and Ausubel provide a variety of appropriate transformation methods. See, above.

Several well-known methods of introducing target nucleic acids into bacterial cells are available, any of which can be used in the present invention. These include: fusion of the recipient cells with bacterial protoplasts containing the DNA, electroporation, projectile bombardment, and infection with viral vectors, etc. Bacterial cells can be used to amplify the number of plasmids containing DNA constructs of this invention. The bacteria are grown to log phase and the plasmids within the bacteria can be isolated by a variety of methods known in the art (see, for instance, Sambrook). In addition, a plethora of kits are commercially available for the purification of plasmids from bacteria, (see, e.g., EasyPrep™, FlexiPrep™, both from Pharmacia Biotech; StrataClean™, from Stratagene; and, QIAprep™ from Qiagen). The isolated and purified plasmids are then further manipulated to produce other plasmids, used to transfect cells or incorporated into related vectors to infect organisms. Typical vectors contain transcription and translation terminators, transcription and translation initiation sequences, and promoters useful for regulation of the expression of the particular target nucleic acid. The vectors optionally comprise generic expression cassettes containing at least one independent terminator sequence, sequences permitting replication of the cassette in eukaryotes, or prokaryotes, or both, (e.g., shuttle vectors) and selection markers for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Vectors are suitable for replication and integration in prokaryotes, eukaryotes, or preferably both. See, Giliman & Smith, Gene 8:81 (1979); Roberts, et al., Nature, 328:731 (1987); Schneider, B., et al., Protein Expr Purif 6435:10 (1995); Ausubel, Sambrook, Berger (all supra). A catalogue of Bacteria and Bacteriophages useful for cloning is provided, e.g., by the ATCC, e.g., The ATCC Catalogue of Bacteria and Bacteriophage (1992) Gherna et al. (eds.) published by the ATCC. Additional basic procedures for sequencing, cloning and other aspects of molecular biology and underlying theoretical considerations are also found in Watson et al. (1992) Recombinant DNA Second Edition Scientific American Books, NY. See, above.

Polypeptide Production and Recovery

In some embodiments, following transduction of a suitable host cell line or strain and growth of the host cells to an appropriate cell density, a selected promoter is induced by appropriate means (e.g., temperature shift or chemical induction) and cells are cultured for an additional period. In some embodiments, a secreted polypeptide product, e.g., a HA and/or NA polypeptide as in a secreted fusion protein form, etc., is then recovered from the culture medium. In other embodiments, a virus particle containing one or more HA and/or NA polypeptide of the invention is produced from the cell. Alternatively, cells can be harvested by centrifugation, disrupted by physical or chemical means, and the resulting crude extract retained for further purification. Eukaryotic or microbial cells employed in expression of proteins can be disrupted by any convenient method, including freeze-thaw cycling, sonication, mechanical disruption, or use of cell lysing agents, or other methods, which are well know to those skilled in the art. Additionally, cells expressing a HA and/or a NA polypeptide product of the invention can be utilized without separating the polypeptide from the cell. In such situations, the polypeptide of the invention is optionally expressed on the cell surface and is examined thus (e.g., by having HA and/or NA molecules, or fragments thereof, e.g., comprising fusion proteins or the like) on the cell surface bind antibodies, etc. Such cells are also features of the invention.

Expressed polypeptides can be recovered and purified from recombinant cell cultures by any of a number of methods well known in the art, including ammonium sulfate or ethanol precipitation, acid extraction, anion or cation exchange chromatography, phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity chromatography (e.g., using any of the tagging systems known to those skilled in the art), hydroxylapatite chromatography, and lectin chromatography. Protein refolding steps can be used, as desired, in completing configuration of the mature protein. Also, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be employed in the final purification steps. In addition to the references noted herein, a variety of purification methods are well known in the art, including, e.g., those set forth in Sandana (1997) Bioseparation of Proteins, Academic Press, Inc.; and Bollag et al. (1996) Protein Methods, 2^(nd) Edition Wiley-Liss, NY; Walker (1996) The Protein Protocols Handbook Humana Press, NJ, Harris and Angal (1990) Protein Purification Applications: A Practical Approach IRL Press at Oxford, Oxford, England; Harris and Angal Protein Purification Methods: A Practical Approach IRL Press at Oxford, Oxford, England; Scopes (1993) Protein Purification: Principles and Practice 3^(rd) Edition Springer Verlag, NY; Janson and Ryden (1998) Protein Purification: Principles, High Resolution Methods and Applications, Second Edition Wiley-VCH, NY; and Walker (1998) Protein Protocols on CD-ROM Humana Press, NJ.

When the expressed polypeptides of the invention are produced in viruses, the viruses are typically recovered from the culture medium, in which infected (transfected) cells have been grown. Typically, crude medium is clarified prior to concentration of influenza viruses. Common methods include ultrafiltration, adsorption on barium sulfate and elution, and centrifugation. For example, crude medium from infected cultures can first be clarified by centrifugation at, e.g., 1000-2000×g for a time sufficient to remove cell debris and other large particulate matter, e.g., between 10 and 30 minutes. Optionally, the clarified medium supernatant is then centrifuged to pellet the influenza viruses, e.g., at 15,000×g, for approximately 3-5 hours. Following resuspension of the virus pellet in an appropriate buffer, such as STE (0.01 M Tris-HCl; 0.15 M NaCl; 0.0001 M EDTA) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.4, the virus is concentrated by density gradient centrifugation on sucrose (60%-12%) or potassium tartrate (50%-10%). Either continuous or step gradients, e.g., a sucrose gradient between 12% and 60% in four 12% steps, are suitable. The gradients are centrifuged at a speed, and for a time, sufficient for the viruses to concentrate into a visible band for recovery. Alternatively, and for most large-scale commercial applications, virus is elutriated from density gradients using a zonal-centrifuge rotor operating in continuous mode. Additional details sufficient to guide one of skill through the preparation of influenza viruses from tissue culture are provided, e.g., in Furminger. Vaccine Production, in Nicholson et al. (eds.) Textbook of Influenza pp. 324-332; Merten et al. (1996) Production of influenza virus in cell cultures for vaccine preparation, in Cohen & Shafferman (eds.) Novel Strategies in Design and Production of Vaccines pp. 141-151, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,937. If desired, the recovered viruses can be stored at −80° C. in the presence of sucrose-phosphate-glutamate (SPG) as a stabilizer

Alternatively, cell-free transcription/translation systems can be employed to produce polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence or subsequence of, e.g., SEQ ID NO:49 through SEQ ID NO:96, or encoded by the polynucleotide sequences of the invention. A number of suitable in vitro transcription and translation systems are commercially available. A general guide to in vitro transcription and translation protocols is found in Tymms (1995) In vitro Transcription and Translation Protocols: Methods in Molecular Biology Volume 37, Garland Publishing, NY.

In addition, the polypeptides, or subsequences thereof, e.g., subsequences comprising antigenic peptides, can be produced manually or by using an automated system, by direct peptide synthesis using solid-phase techniques (see, Stewart et al. (1969) Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis, WH Freeman Co, San Francisco; Merrifield J (1963) J Am Chem Soc 85:2149-2154). Exemplary automated systems include the Applied Biosystems 431A Peptide Synthesizer (Perkin Elmer, Foster City, Calif.). If desired, subsequences can be chemically synthesized separately, and combined using chemical methods to provide full-length polypeptides.

Modified Amino Acids

Expressed polypeptides of the invention can contain one or more modified amino acids. The presence of modified amino acids can be advantageous in, for example, (a) increasing polypeptide serum half-life, (b) reducing/increasing polypeptide antigenicity, (c) increasing polypeptide storage stability, etc Amino acid(s) are modified, for example, co-translationally or post-translationally during recombinant production (e.g., N-linked glycosylation at N-X-S/T motifs during expression in mammalian cells) or modified by synthetic means (e.g., via PEGylation).

Non-limiting examples of a modified amino acid include a glycosylated amino acid, a sulfated amino acid, a prenlyated (e.g., farnesylated, geranylgeranylated) amino acid, an acetylated amino acid, an acylated amino acid, a PEG-ylated amino acid, a biotinylated amino acid, a carboxylated amino acid, a phosphorylated amino acid, and the like, as well as amino acids modified by conjugation to, e.g., lipid moieties or other organic derivatizing agents. References adequate to guide one of skill in the modification of amino acids are replete throughout the literature. Example protocols are found in Walker (1998) Protein Protocols on CD-ROM Human Press, Towata, N.J.

Fusion Proteins

The present invention also provides fusion proteins comprising fusions of the sequences of the invention (e.g., encoding HA and/or NA polypeptides) or fragments thereof with, e.g., immunoglobulins (or portions thereof), sequences encoding, e.g., GFP (green fluorescent protein), or other similar markers, etc. Nucleotide sequences encoding such fusion proteins are another aspect of the invention. Fusion proteins of the invention are optionally used for, e.g., similar applications (including, e.g., therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic, experimental, etc. applications as described herein) as the non-fusion proteins of the invention. In addition to fusion with immunoglobulin sequences and marker sequences, the proteins of the invention are also optionally fused with, e.g., sequences which allow sorting of the fusion proteins and/or targeting of the fusion proteins to specific cell types, regions, etc.

Antibodies

The polypeptides of the invention can be used to produce antibodies specific for the polypeptides given herein and/or polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides of the invention, e.g., those shown herein, and conservative variants thereof. Antibodies specific for the above mentioned polypeptides are useful, e.g., for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, e.g., related to the activity, distribution, and expression of target polypeptides. For example, such antibodies can optionally be utilized to define other viruses within the same strain(s) as the HA/NA sequences herein.

Antibodies specific for the polypeptides of the invention can be generated by methods well known in the art. Such antibodies can include, but are not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric, humanized, single chain, Fab fragments and fragments produced by an Fab expression library.

Polypeptides do not require biological activity for antibody production (e.g., full length functional hemagglutinin or neuraminidase is not required). However, the polypeptide or oligopeptide must be antigenic. Peptides used to induce specific antibodies typically have an amino acid sequence of at least about 4 amino acids, and often at least 5 or 10 amino acids. Short stretches of a polypeptide can be fused with another protein, such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and antibody produced against the chimeric molecule.

Numerous methods for producing polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies are known to those of skill in the art, and can be adapted to produce antibodies specific for the polypeptides of the invention, and/or encoded by the polynucleotide sequences of the invention, etc. See, e.g., Coligan (1991) Current Protocols in Immunology Wiley/Greene, NY; Paul (ed.) (1998) Fundamental Immunology, Fourth Edition, Lippincott-Raven, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Harlow and Lane (1989) Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor Press, NY; Stites et al. (eds.) Basic and Clinical Immunology (4th ed.) Lange Medical Publications, Los Altos, Calif., and references cited therein; Goding (1986) Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice (2d ed.) Academic Press, New York, N.Y.; and Kohler and Milstein (1975) Nature 256: 495-497. Other suitable techniques for antibody preparation include selection of libraries of recombinant antibodies in phage or similar vectors. See, Huse et al. (1989) Science 246: 1275-1281; and Ward, et al. (1989) Nature 341: 544-546. Specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and antisera will usually bind with a K_(D) of, e.g., at least about 0.1 μM, at least about 0.01 μM or better, and, typically and at least about 0.001 μM or better.

For certain therapeutic applications, humanized antibodies are desirable. Detailed methods for preparation of chimeric (humanized) antibodies can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,856. Additional details on humanization and other antibody production and engineering techniques can be found in Borrebaeck (ed.) (1995) Antibody Engineering, 2^(nd) Edition Freeman and Company, NY (Borrebaeck); McCafferty et al. (1996) Antibody Engineering, A Practical Approach IRL at Oxford Press, Oxford, England (McCafferty), and Paul (1995) Antibody Engineering Protocols Humana Press, Towata, N.J. (Paul). Additional details regarding specific procedures can be found, e.g., in Ostberg et al. (1983), Hybridoma 2: 361-367, Ostberg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,664, and Engelman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,666.

Defining Polypeptides by Immunoreactivity

Because the polypeptides of the invention provide a variety of new polypeptide sequences (e.g., comprising HA and NA molecules), the polypeptides also provide new structural features which can be recognized, e.g., in immunological assays. The generation of antisera which specifically bind the polypeptides of the invention, as well as the polypeptides which are bound by such antisera, are features of the invention.

For example, the invention includes polypeptides (e.g., HA and NA molecules) that specifically bind to or that are specifically immunoreactive with an antibody or antisera generated against an immunogen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from one or more of the sequences given herein such as in SEQ ID NOs: 49-96, etc. To eliminate cross-reactivity with other homologues, the antibody or antisera is subtracted with the HA and/or NA molecules found in public databases at the time of filing, e.g., the “control” polypeptide(s). Where the other control sequences correspond to a nucleic acid, a polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid is generated and used for antibody/antisera subtraction purposes.

In one typical format, the immunoassay uses a polyclonal antiserum which was raised against one or more polypeptide comprising one or more of the sequences corresponding to the sequences herein, etc. or a substantial subsequence thereof (i.e., at least about 30% of the full length sequence provided). The set of potential polypeptide immunogens derived from the present sequences are collectively referred to below as “the immunogenic polypeptides.” The resulting antisera is optionally selected to have low cross-reactivity against the control hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase homologues and any such cross-reactivity is removed, e.g., by immunoabsorbtion, with one or more of the control hemagglutinin and neuraminidase homologues, prior to use of the polyclonal antiserum in the immunoassay.

In order to produce antisera for use in an immunoassay, one or more of the immunogenic polypeptides is produced and purified as described herein. For example, recombinant protein can be produced in a recombinant cell. An inbred strain of mice (used in this assay because results are more reproducible due to the virtual genetic identity of the mice) is immunized with the immunogenic protein(s) in combination with a standard adjuvant, such as Freund's adjuvant, and a standard mouse immunization protocol (see, e.g., Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Publications, New York, for a standard description of antibody generation, immunoassay formats and conditions that can be used to determine specific immunoreactivity). Additional references and discussion of antibodies is also found herein and can be applied here to defining polypeptides by immunoreactivity. Alternatively, one or more synthetic or recombinant polypeptide derived from the sequences disclosed herein is conjugated to a carrier protein and used as an immunogen.

Polyclonal sera are collected and titered against the immunogenic polypeptide in an immunoassay, for example, a solid phase immunoassay with one or more of the immunogenic proteins immobilized on a solid support. Polyclonal antisera with a titer of 10⁶ or greater are selected, pooled and subtracted with the control hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase polypeptide(s) to produce subtracted pooled titered polyclonal antisera.

The subtracted pooled titered polyclonal antisera are tested for cross reactivity against the control homologue(s) in a comparative immunoassay. In this comparative assay, discriminatory binding conditions are determined for the subtracted titered polyclonal antisera which result in at least about a 5-10 fold higher signal to noise ratio for binding of the titered polyclonal antisera to the immunogenic polypeptides as compared to binding to the control homologues. That is, the stringency of the binding reaction is adjusted by the addition of non-specific competitors such as albumin or non-fat dry milk, and/or by adjusting salt conditions, temperature, and/or the like. These binding conditions are used in subsequent assays for determining whether a test polypeptide (a polypeptide being compared to the immunogenic polypeptides and/or the control polypeptides) is specifically bound by the pooled subtracted polyclonal antisera. In particular, test polypeptides which show at least a 2-5× higher signal to noise ratio than the control receptor homologues under discriminatory binding conditions, and at least about a ½ signal to noise ratio as compared to the immunogenic polypeptide(s), shares substantial structural similarity with the immunogenic polypeptide as compared to the known receptor, etc., and is, therefore a polypeptide of the invention.

In another example, immunoassays in the competitive binding format are used for detection of a test polypeptide. For example, as noted, cross-reacting antibodies are removed from the pooled antisera mixture by immunoabsorbtion with the control polypeptides. The immunogenic polypeptide(s) are then immobilized to a solid support which is exposed to the subtracted pooled antisera. Test proteins are added to the assay to compete for binding to the pooled subtracted antisera. The ability of the test protein(s) to compete for binding to the pooled subtracted antisera as compared to the immobilized protein(s) is compared to the ability of the immunogenic polypeptide(s) added to the assay to compete for binding (the immunogenic polypeptides compete effectively with the immobilized immunogenic polypeptides for binding to the pooled antisera). The percent cross-reactivity for the test proteins is calculated, using standard calculations.

In a parallel assay, the ability of the control protein(s) to compete for binding to the pooled subtracted antisera is optionally determined as compared to the ability of the immunogenic polypeptide(s) to compete for binding to the antisera. Again, the percent cross-reactivity for the control polypeptide(s) is calculated, using standard calculations. Where the percent cross-reactivity is at least 5-10× as high for the test polypeptides as compared to the control polypeptide(s) and or where the binding of the test polypeptides is approximately in the range of the binding of the immunogenic polypeptides, the test polypeptides are said to specifically bind the pooled subtracted antisera.

In general, the immunoabsorbed and pooled antisera can be used in a competitive binding immunoassay as described herein to compare any test polypeptide to the immunogenic and/or control polypeptide(s). In order to make this comparison, the immunogenic, test and control polypeptides are each assayed at a wide range of concentrations and the amount of each polypeptide required to inhibit 50% of the binding of the subtracted antisera to, e.g., an immobilized control, test or immunogenic protein is determined using standard techniques. If the amount of the test polypeptide required for binding in the competitive assay is less than twice the amount of the immunogenic polypeptide that is required, then the test polypeptide is said to specifically bind to an antibody generated to the immunogenic protein, provided the amount is at least about 5-10× as high as for the control polypeptide.

As an additional determination of specificity, the pooled antisera is optionally fully immunosorbed with the immunogenic polypeptide(s) (rather than the control polypeptide(s)) until little or no binding of the resulting immunogenic polypeptide subtracted pooled antisera to the immunogenic polypeptide(s) used in the immunosorbtion is detectable. This fully immunosorbed antisera is then tested for reactivity with the test polypeptide. If little or no reactivity is observed (i.e., no more than 2× the signal to noise ratio observed for binding of the fully immunosorbed antisera to the immunogenic polypeptide), then the test polypeptide is specifically bound by the antisera elicited by the immunogenic protein.

Nucleic Acid and Polypeptide Sequence Variants

As described herein, the invention provides for nucleic acid polynucleotide sequences and polypeptide amino acid sequences, e.g., hemagglutinin and neuraminidase sequences, and, e.g., compositions and methods comprising said sequences. Examples of said sequences are disclosed herein. However, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention is not necessarily limited to those sequences disclosed herein and that the present invention also provides many related and unrelated sequences with the functions described herein, e.g., encoding a HA and/or a NA molecule.

One of skill will also appreciate that many variants of the disclosed sequences are included in the invention. For example, conservative variations of the disclosed sequences that yield a functionally identical sequence are included in the invention. Variants of the nucleic acid polynucleotide sequences, wherein the variants hybridize to at least one disclosed sequence, are considered to be included in the invention. Unique subsequences of the sequences disclosed herein, as determined by, e.g., standard sequence comparison techniques, are also included in the invention.

Silent Variations

Due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, any of a variety of nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides and/or viruses of the invention are optionally produced, some which can bear lower levels of sequence identity to the HA and NA nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences herein. The following provides a typical codon table specifying the genetic code, found in many biology and biochemistry texts.

TABLE 1 Codon Table Amino acids Codon Alanine Ala A GCA GCC GCG GCU Cysteine Cys C UGC UGU Aspartic acid Asp D GAC GAU Glutamic acid Glu E GAA GAG Phenylalanine Phe F UUC UUU Glycine Gly G GGA GGC GGG GGU Histidine His H CAC CAU Isoleucine Ile I AUA AUC AUU Lysine Lys K AAA AAG Leucine Leu L UUA UUG CUA CUC CUG CUU Methionine Met M AUG Asparagine Asn N AAC AAU Proline Pro P CCA CCC CCG CCU Glutamine Gln Q CAA CAG Arginine Arg R AGA AGG CGA CGC CGG CGU Serine Ser S AGC AGU UCA UCC UCG UCU Threonine Thr T ACA ACC ACG ACU Valine Val V GUA GUC GUG GUU Tryptophan Trp W UGG Tyrosine Tyr Y UAC UAU

The codon table shows that many amino acids are encoded by more than one codon. For example, the codons AGA, AGG, CGA, CGC, CGG, and CGU all encode the amino acid arginine. Thus, at every position in the nucleic acids of the invention where an arginine is specified by a codon, the codon can be altered to any of the corresponding codons described above without altering the encoded polypeptide. It is understood that U in an RNA sequence corresponds to T in a DNA sequence.

Such “silent variations” are one species of “conservatively modified variations,” discussed below. One of skill will recognize that each codon in a nucleic acid (except ATG, which is ordinarily the only codon for methionine, and TTG, which is ordinarily the only codon for tryptophan) can be modified by standard techniques to encode a functionally identical polypeptide. Accordingly, each silent variation of a nucleic acid which encodes a polypeptide is implicit in any described sequence. The invention, therefore, explicitly provides each and every possible variation of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the invention that could be made by selecting combinations based on possible codon choices. These combinations are made in accordance with the standard triplet genetic code (e.g., as set forth in Table 1, or as is commonly available in the art) as applied to the nucleic acid sequence encoding a hemagglutinin or a neuraminidase polypeptide of the invention. All such variations of every nucleic acid herein are specifically provided and described by consideration of the sequence in combination with the genetic code. One of skill is fully able to make these silent substitutions using the methods herein.

Conservative Variations

Owing to the degeneracy of the genetic code, “silent substitutions” (i.e., substitutions in a nucleic acid sequence which do not result in an alteration in an encoded polypeptide) are an implied feature of every nucleic acid sequence of the invention which encodes an amino acid. Similarly, “conservative amino acid substitutions,” in one or a few amino acids in an amino acid sequence are substituted with different amino acids with highly similar properties, are also readily identified as being highly similar to a disclosed construct such as those herein. Such conservative variations of each disclosed sequence are a feature of the present invention.

“Conservative variation” of a particular nucleic acid sequence refers to those nucleic acids which encode identical or essentially identical amino acid sequences, or, where the nucleic acid does not encode an amino acid sequence, to essentially identical sequences, see, Table 2 below. One of skill will recognize that individual substitutions, deletions or additions which alter, add or delete a single amino acid or a small percentage of amino acids (typically less than 5%, more typically less than 4%, 3%, 2% or 1%) in an encoded sequence are “conservatively modified variations” where the alterations result in the deletion of an amino acid, addition of an amino acid, or substitution of an amino acid with a chemically similar amino acid. Thus, “conservative variations” of a listed polypeptide sequence of the present invention include substitutions of a small percentage, typically less than 5%, more typically less than 4%, 3%, 2% or 1%, of the amino acids of the polypeptide sequence, with a conservatively selected amino acid of the same conservative substitution group. Finally, the addition of sequences which do not alter the encoded activity of a nucleic acid molecule, such as the addition of a non-functional sequence, is a conservative variation of the basic nucleic acid.

TABLE 2 Conservative Substitution Groups 1 Alanine (A) Serine (S) Threonine (T) 2 Aspartic acid (D) Glutamic acid (E) 3 Asparagine (N) Glutamine (Q) 4 Arginine (R) Lysine (K) 5 Isoleucine (I) Leucine (L) Methionine (M) Valine (V) 6 Phenylalanine (F) Tyrosine (Y) Tryptophan (W)

Unique Polypeptide and Polynucleotide Subsequences

In one aspect, the invention provides a nucleic acid which comprises a unique subsequence in a nucleic acid selected from the sequence of HA and NA molecules disclosed herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO:1-48). The unique subsequence is unique as compared to a nucleic acids corresponding to nucleic acids such as, e.g., those found in GenBank or other similar public databases at the time of filing (e.g., other known or characterized hemagglutinin and/or neuraminidase nucleic acid molecules). Alignment can be performed using, e.g., BLAST set to default parameters. Any unique subsequence is useful, e.g., as a probe to identify the nucleic acids of the invention. See, above.

Similarly, the invention includes a polypeptide (e.g., from SEQ ID NO:49 through 96) which comprises a unique subsequence in a polypeptide selected from the sequence of HA and NA molecules disclosed herein. Here, the unique subsequence is unique as compared to a polypeptide corresponding to, e.g., the amino acid corresponding to polynucleotide sequences found in, e.g., GenBank or other similar public databases at the time of filing.

The invention also provides for target nucleic acids which hybridize under stringent conditions to a unique coding oligonucleotide which encodes a unique subsequence in a polypeptide selected from the sequences of HA and NA molecules of the invention wherein the unique subsequence is unique as compared to a polypeptide corresponding to any of the control polypeptides (sequences of, e.g., the nucleic acids corresponding to those found in, e.g., GenBank or other similar public databases at the time of filing). Unique sequences are determined as noted above. The polynucleotides of the invention also comprise RNA (both positive sense and negative sense) versions of the sequences of the sequence listing. See above.

Sequence Comparison, Identity, and Homology

The terms “identical” or percent “identity,” in the context of two or more nucleic acid or polypeptide sequences, refer to two or more sequences or subsequences that are the same or have a specified percentage of amino acid residues or nucleotides that are the same, when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence, as measured using one of the sequence comparison algorithms described below (or other algorithms available to persons of skill) or by visual inspection.

The phrase “substantially identical,” in the context of two nucleic acids or polypeptides (e.g., DNAs and/or RNAs encoding a HA or NA molecule, or the amino acid sequence of a HA or NA molecule) refers to two or more sequences or subsequences that have at least about 90%, preferably 91%, most preferably 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 98.5%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9% or more nucleotide or amino acid residue identity, when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence, as measured using a sequence comparison algorithm or by visual inspection. Such “substantially identical” sequences are typically considered to be “homologous,” without reference to actual ancestry. Preferably, “substantial identity” exists over a region of the amino acid sequences that is at least about 200 residues in length, more preferably over a region of at least about 250 residues, and most preferably the sequences are substantially identical over at least about 300 residues, 350 residues, 400 residues, 425 residues, 450 residues, 475 residues, 480 residues, 490 residues, 495 residues, 499 residues, 500 residues, 502 residues, 559 residues, 565 residues, or 566 residues, or over the full length of the two sequences to be compared when the amino acids are hemagglutinin or hemagglutinin fragments or which is substantially identical over at least about 350 amino acids; over at least about 400 amino acids; over at least about over at least about 436 amino acids, over at least about 450 amino acids; over at least about 451 amino acids; over at least about 465 amino acids; over at least about 466 amino acids; over at least about 469 amino acids; over at least about 470 amino acids; or over at least about 566 amino acids contiguous when the amino acid is neuraminidase or a neuraminidase fragment.

For sequence comparison and homology determination, typically one sequence acts as a reference sequence to which test sequences are compared. When using a sequence comparison algorithm, test and reference sequences are input into a computer, subsequence coordinates are designated, if necessary, and sequence algorithm program parameters are designated. The sequence comparison algorithm then calculates the percent sequence identity for the test sequence(s) relative to the reference sequence, based on the designated program parameters.

Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison can be conducted, e.g., by the local homology algorithm of Smith & Waterman, Adv Appl Math 2:482 (1981), by the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman & Wunsch, J Mol Biol 48:443 (1970), by the search for similarity method of Pearson & Lipman, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 85:2444 (1988), by computerized implementations of algorithms such as GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis., or by visual inspection (see generally, Ausubel et al., supra).

One example of an algorithm that is suitable for determining percent sequence identity and sequence similarity is the BLAST algorithm, which is described in Altschul et al., J Mol Biol 215:403-410 (1990). Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). This algorithm involves first identifying high scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) by identifying short words of length W in the query sequence, which either match or satisfy some positive-valued threshold score T when aligned with a word of the same length in a database sequence. T is referred to as the neighborhood word score threshold (see, Altschul et al., supra). These initial neighborhood word hits act as seeds for initiating searches to find longer HSPs containing them. The word hits are then extended in both directions along each sequence for as far as the cumulative alignment score can be increased. Cumulative scores are calculated using, for nucleotide sequences, the parameters M (reward score for a pair of matching residues; always >0) and N (penalty score for mismatching residues; always <0). For amino acid sequences, a scoring matrix is used to calculate the cumulative score. Extension of the word hits in each direction are halted when: the cumulative alignment score falls off by the quantity X from its maximum achieved value; the cumulative score goes to zero or below, due to the accumulation of one or more negative-scoring residue alignments; or the end of either sequence is reached. The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T, and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLASTN program (for nucleotide sequences) uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 11, an expectation (E) of 10, a cutoff of 100, M=5, N=−4, and a comparison of both strands. For amino acid sequences, the BLASTP program uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 3, an expectation (E) of 10, and the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see, Henikoff & Henikoff (1989) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 89:10915).

In addition to calculating percent sequence identity, the BLAST algorithm also performs a statistical analysis of the similarity between two sequences (see, e.g., Karlin & Altschul, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90:5873-5787 (1993)). One measure of similarity provided by the BLAST algorithm is the smallest sum probability (P(N)), which provides an indication of the probability by which a match between two nucleotide or amino acid sequences would occur by chance. For example, a nucleic acid is considered similar to a reference sequence if the smallest sum probability in a comparison of the test nucleic acid to the reference nucleic acid is less than about 0.1, more preferably less than about 0.01, and most preferably less than about 0.001.

Another example of a useful sequence alignment algorithm is PILEUP. PILEUP creates a multiple sequence alignment from a group of related sequences using progressive, pairwise alignments. It can also plot a tree showing the clustering relationships used to create the alignment. PILEUP uses a simplification of the progressive alignment method of Feng & Doolittle (1987) J. Mol. Evol. 35:351-360. The method used is similar to the method described by Higgins & Sharp (1989) CABIOS5:151-153. The program can align, e.g., up to 300 sequences of a maximum length of 5,000 letters. The multiple alignment procedure begins with the pairwise alignment of the two most similar sequences, producing a cluster of two aligned sequences. This cluster can then be aligned to the next most related sequence or cluster of aligned sequences. Two clusters of sequences can be aligned by a simple extension of the pairwise alignment of two individual sequences. The final alignment is achieved by a series of progressive, pairwise alignments. The program can also be used to plot a dendogram or tree representation of clustering relationships. The program is run by designating specific sequences and their amino acid or nucleotide coordinates for regions of sequence comparison.

An additional example of an algorithm that is suitable for multiple nucleic acid, or amino acid, sequence alignments is the CLUSTALW program (Thompson, J. D. et al. (1994) Nucl. Acids. Res. 22: 4673-4680). CLUSTALW performs multiple pairwise comparisons between groups of sequences and assembles them into a multiple alignment based on homology. Gap open and Gap extension penalties can be, e.g., 10 and 0.05 respectively. For amino acid alignments, the BLOSUM algorithm can be used as a protein weight matrix. See, e.g., Henikoff and Henikoff (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 10915-10919.

Digital Systems

The present invention provides digital systems, e.g., computers, computer readable media and integrated systems comprising character strings corresponding to the sequence information herein for the nucleic acids and isolated or recombinant polypeptides herein, including, e.g., the sequences shown herein, and the various silent substitutions and conservative substitutions thereof. Integrated systems can further include, e.g., gene synthesis equipment for making genes corresponding to the character strings.

Various methods known in the art can be used to detect homology or similarity between different character strings (see above), or can be used to perform other desirable functions such as to control output files, provide the basis for making presentations of information including the sequences and the like. Examples include BLAST, discussed supra. Computer systems of the invention can include such programs, e.g., in conjunction with one or more data file or data base comprising a sequence as noted herein.

Thus, different types of homology and similarity of various stringency and length between various HA or NA sequences or fragments, etc. can be detected and recognized in the integrated systems herein. For example, many homology determination methods have been designed for comparative analysis of sequences of biopolymers, for spell-checking in word processing, and for data retrieval from various databases. With an understanding of double-helix pair-wise complement interactions among four principal nucleobases in natural polynucleotides, models that simulate annealing of complementary homologous polynucleotide strings can also be used as a foundation of sequence alignment or other operations typically performed on the character strings corresponding to the sequences herein (e.g., word-processing manipulations, construction of figures comprising sequence or subsequence character strings, output tables, etc.).

Thus, standard desktop applications such as word processing software (e.g., Microsoft Word™ or Corel WordPerfect™) and database software (e.g., spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel™, Corel Quattro Pro™, or database programs such as Microsoft Access™, Paradox™, GeneWorks™, or MacVector™ or other similar programs) can be adapted to the present invention by inputting a character string corresponding to one or more polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention (either nucleic acids or proteins, or both). For example, a system of the invention can include the foregoing software having the appropriate character string information, e.g., used in conjunction with a user interface (e.g., a GUI in a standard operating system such as a Windows, Macintosh or LINUX system) to manipulate strings of characters corresponding to the sequences herein. As noted, specialized alignment programs such as BLAST can also be incorporated into the systems of the invention for alignment of nucleic acids or proteins (or corresponding character strings).

Systems in the present invention typically include a digital computer with data sets entered into the software system comprising any of the sequences herein. The computer can be, e.g., a PC (Intel x86 or Pentium chip-compatible DOS™, OS2™ WINDOWS™ WINDOWSNT™, WINDOWS95™, WINDOWS2000™, WINDOWS98™, LINUX based machine, a MACINTOSH™, Power PC, or a UNIX based (e.g., SUN™ work station) machine) or other commercially available computer that is known to one of skill. Software for aligning or otherwise manipulating sequences is available, or can easily be constructed by one of skill using a standard programming language such as Visualbasic, PERL, Fortran, Basic, Java, or the like.

Any controller or computer optionally includes a monitor which is often a cathode ray tube (“CRT”) display, a flat panel display (e.g., active matrix liquid crystal display, liquid crystal display), or others. Computer circuitry is often placed in a box which includes numerous integrated circuit chips, such as a microprocessor, memory, interface circuits, and others. The box also optionally includes a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a high capacity removable drive such as a writeable CD-ROM, and other common peripheral elements. Inputting devices such as a keyboard or mouse optionally provide for input from a user and for user selection of sequences to be compared or otherwise manipulated in the relevant computer system.

The computer typically includes appropriate software for receiving user instructions, either in the form of user input into a set parameter fields, e.g., in a GUI, or in the form of preprogrammed instructions, e.g., preprogrammed for a variety of different specific operations. The software then converts these instructions to appropriate language for instructing the operation, e.g., of appropriate mechanisms or transport controllers to carry out the desired operation. The software can also include output elements for controlling nucleic acid synthesis (e.g., based upon a sequence or an alignment of sequences herein), comparisons of samples for differential gene expression, or other operations.

Kits and Reagents

The present invention is optionally provided to a user as a kit. For example, a kit of the invention contains one or more nucleic acid, polypeptide, antibody, or cell line described herein (e.g., comprising, or with, a HA and/or NA molecule of the invention). The kit can contain a diagnostic nucleic acid or polypeptide, e.g., antibody, probe set, e.g., as a cDNA micro-array packaged in a suitable container, or other nucleic acid such as one or more expression vector. The kit typically further comprises, one or more additional reagents, e.g., substrates, labels, primers, for labeling expression products, tubes and/or other accessories, reagents for collecting samples, buffers, hybridization chambers, cover slips, etc. The kit optionally further comprises an instruction set or user manual detailing preferred methods of using the kit components for discovery or application of diagnostic sets, etc.

When used according to the instructions, the kit can be used, e.g., for evaluating a disease state or condition, for evaluating effects of a pharmaceutical agent or other treatment intervention on progression of a disease state or condition in a cell or organism, or for use as a vaccine, etc.

In an additional aspect, the present invention provides system kits embodying the methods, composition, systems and apparatus herein. System kits of the invention optionally comprise one or more of the following: (1) an apparatus, system, system component or apparatus component; (2) instructions for practicing methods described herein, and/or for operating the apparatus or apparatus components herein and/or for using the compositions herein. In a further aspect, the present invention provides for the use of any apparatus, apparatus component, composition or kit herein, for the practice of any method or assay herein, and/or for the use of any apparatus or kit to practice any assay or method herein.

Additionally, the kits can include one or more translation system as noted above (e.g., a cell) with appropriate packaging material, containers for holding the components of the kit, instructional materials for practicing the methods herein and/or the like. Similarly, products of the translation systems (e.g., proteins such as HA and/or NA molecules) can be provided in kit form, e.g., with containers for holding the components of the kit, instructional materials for practicing the methods herein and/or the like. Furthermore, the kits can comprise various vaccines (e.g., produced through plasmid rescue protocols) such as live attenuated vaccine (e.g., FluMist™) comprising the HA and/or NA sequences herein.

To facilitate use of the methods and compositions of the invention, any of the vaccine components and/or compositions, e.g., reassorted virus in allantoic fluid, etc., and additional components, such as, buffer, cells, culture medium, useful for packaging and infection of influenza viruses for experimental or therapeutic vaccine purposes, can be packaged in the form of a kit. Typically, the kit contains, in addition to the above components, additional materials which can include, e.g., instructions for performing the methods of the invention, packaging material, and a container.

While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be clear to one skilled in the art from a reading of this disclosure that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention. For example, all the techniques and apparatus described above may be used in various combinations. All publications, patents, patent applications, or other documents cited in this application are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, patent application, or other document were individually indicated to be incorporated by reference for all purposes. 

1. A 6:2 reassortant influenza A virus, wherein said virus comprises 6 internal genome segments from one or more donor viruses and 2 surface antigen genome segments, wherein the surface antigen genome segments encode an HA and a NA polypeptide, wherein the HA polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 89 and SEQ ID NO:
 91. 2. The 6:2 reassortant influenza A virus of claim 1, wherein said one or more donor viruses comprise one or more of the following phenotypes: temperature-sensitive, cold-adapted, or attenuated.
 3. The 6:2 reassortant influenza A virus of claim 1, wherein said one or more donor viruses are selected from the group consisting of A/Ann Arbor/6/60 and A/Puerto Rico/8/34.
 4. The 6:2 reassortant influenza A virus of claim 1, wherein said reassortant influenza A virus is killed or inactivated.
 5. The 6:2 reassortant influenza A virus of claim 1, wherein said reassortant influenza A virus is a live attenuated reassortant influenza A virus.
 6. An immunogenic vaccine composition comprising an immunologically effective amount of the reassortant influenza A virus of claim 1, wherein the reassortant influenza A virus is split.
 7. An immunogenic vaccine composition comprising an immunologically effective amount of the reassortant influenza A virus of claim
 2. 8. An immunogenic vaccine composition comprising an immunologically effective amount of the reassortant influenza A virus of claim
 4. 9. An immunogenic vaccine composition comprising an immunologically effective amount of the reassortant influenza A virus of claim
 5. 10. The immunogenic vaccine composition of claim 7, wherein the reassortant influenza A virus is split.
 11. A method for producing an influenza A virus in cell culture, the method comprising: i) introducing into a population of host cells, which population of host cells is capable of supporting replication of influenza virus, a plurality of vectors comprising nucleotide sequences corresponding to: (a) at least 6 internal genome segments of a first influenza strain; and, at least one genome segment encoding an HA surface antigen polypeptide wherein the surface antigen polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 89 and SEQ ID NO: 91; or (b) at least 6 internal genome segments of a first influenza strain, which influenza strain comprises one or more phenotypic attributes selected from the group consisting of: attenuated, cold adapted and temperature sensitive; and, at least one genome segment encoding an HA surface antigen wherein the surface antigen polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 89 and SEQ ID NO: 91; ii) culturing the population of host cells at a temperature less than or equal to 35° C.; and, iii) recovering an influenza virus.
 12. A method for stimulating the immune system of an individual to produce a protective immune response against influenza A virus, the method comprising administering to the individual an immunologically effective amount of the reassortant influenza A virus of claim 2 in a physiologically effective carrier.
 13. A method for stimulating the immune system of an individual to produce a protective immune response against influenza A virus, the method comprising administering to the individual an immunologically effective amount of the reassortant influenza A virus of claim 4 in a physiologically effective carrier.
 14. A method for stimulating the immune system of an individual to produce a protective immune response against influenza A virus, the method comprising administering to the individual an immunologically effective amount of the reassortant influenza A virus of claim 5 in a physiologically effective carrier.
 15. A method of prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of an influenza A viral infection in a subject, the method comprising: administering to the subject, the reassortant influenza A virus of claim 2 in an amount effective to produce an immunogenic response against the influenza A viral infection.
 16. A method of prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of an influenza A viral infection in a subject, the method comprising: administering to the subject, the reassortant influenza A virus of claim 4 in an amount effective to produce an immunogenic response against the influenza A viral infection.
 17. A method of prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of an influenza A viral infection in a subject, the method comprising: administering to the subject, the reassortant influenza A virus of claim 5 in an amount effective to produce an immunogenic response against the influenza A viral infection.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the subject is a human.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the subject is a human.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the subject is a human. 